The Square

This is a view of Congress Square from in front of the Portland Museum of Art. Out of the photo on the right is the Eastland Park Hotel in the midst of a renovation project that has brought controversy to the city elders. At the center of the argument is what to do with the small park along side the hotel. The Eastland wants it to build a ballroom attached to their facility. The city really doesn't seem to know what to do with it. As far as parks go, the most positive thing that might be said about this one is that it's an eyesore. It's all concrete with a couple of raised flower beds; otherwise not a blade of grass standing.  I'm all for city green spaces, in this case gray space, but I must say, the loss of this one, looking as it does this morning, ain't gonna bring tears to my eyes. It's a prime piece of space, that might have all sorts of possibilities, but looking as it does, it's shameful. And I haven't even brought up a whisper about the 'population' that hangs, sleeps, drinks, and harangues to passersby. Portland, get off your butt and bring this piece some beauty.