Members of the Greater State Street Business Association said Wednesday they aim to endorse the planned renovation of Lisa Link Peace Park.
Peace Park, 452 State St., would begin renovations in January if approved by the Common Council. The renovation plans include a visitors center, public restrooms and additional benches.
GSSBA members met Wednesday to vote on a draft of a letter to be sent to the Common Council. An insufficient number of members were present to approve the letter.
GSSBA President John Hutchinson said the members not able to attend the meeting have already seen the letter.
""I'm pretty sure it will be a positive vote,"" he said.
Hutchinson said the GSSBA's goal is to gain a consensus and send out the letter in the coming weeks.
According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, renovations have not started yet because of city budget constraints.
""We had hoped to break ground this year,"" he said. ""[Instead, we were] pushed from breaking ground in November to January.""
During the Common Council's last meeting, three members voted against the renovation specifically because it included the addition of an ATM, Verveer said.
The presence of an ATM would cause panhandling to be prohibited in the park.
Despite criticism, Verveer believes support for the Peace Park renovation has been steady.
""I think, knock on wood, it is going well,"" he said.
The Common Council will meet Nov. 3 to vote on the Peace Park renovation.
