Madison's Urban Design Commission approved its final improvement plans for Lisa Link Peace Park Wednesday. The major features include an ATM, Peace Pole and plentiful seating.
The architect on the project, Ken Saiki Design, investigated several design themes to achieve a more grassroots expression of their idea. The Peace Pole was chosen under the category of symbolic commitment to peace at the world, national and community level.
The Peace Pole will consist of an organic-looking wooden pole with the message, ""May Peace Prevail on Earth"" in four different languages on four sides, centered along the entrance to State Street.
One of the largest concerns was the addition of an ATM. A 24-hour surcharge-free ATM was added to the design by the Business Improvement District to help draw foot traffic to the area, and in turn gain an annual income of up to $5,000 in the area. This added revenue source would allow for the building to be open longer to better serve its purpose as a tourist hub.
However, the panhandling ordinance of the city states that panhandling is not permitted within 50 feet of an ATM machine, a common activity performed by the park dwellers.
""There is a perception that this plan is solely is to discourage panhandling, and I don't support that motivation in any way,"" said an opposing commission member. ""Now we're looking at an ATM that I was not thrilled with and a social engineering aspect that could be very controversial.""
Tom Link, son of Lisa Link, served as a planning committee member on the project for 2.5 years.
""My mother would've been comfortable with the type of people that use the park, but a lot of people can't deal with homelessness and poverty,"" Link said.
