We, the people, seem chronically unable to learn from history. But we do appreciate museums dedicated to the subject.
On that level, the effort to find a new home for the Colorado History Museum is a good thing.
It’s just that a proposed solution to plant a new building in Civic Center has generated criticism: The plan eliminates green space and blocks sight lines in a lovely link between the state Capitol and the City and County Building.
No, the park isn’t perfect.
The aroma of flowers in summer morphs into a whiff of despair in winter. The pungent odor of weed hovers pretty much year-round, thanks to certain entrepreneurs in the alternative economy.
While debate about these plans has ping-ponged among the city’s movers and shakers, someone should ask the opinion of those who know the park best: the people who spend the bulk of their day hanging out in it.
Which is why I wound up talking with Brandon Sanchez.
Sanchez, a strapping kid with a broad face, was hanging with friends under a pillared causeway on the park’s north end. This is where he spends time when he’s not in class at the Fresh Start school.
I put Mayor John Hickenlooper’s proposal to him: The history museum would move into the park’s existing McNichols Building. A companion two-story structure housing historical exhibits and cultural space would go up on the park’s southwestern edge.
The new building would be about 32,000 square feet. That’s a big footprint no matter how it’s configured.
So, what did Sanchez think?
He looked at me like I’d just offered him the complete recordings of Perry Como.
“I’d rather have the green grass,” he said. “It’s open space, you know what I’m saying?
He surveyed the expanse of snow-covered lawn.
“It’s real friendly here,” he said. “People might think it’s a drug park, but it’s not. I just come here to chill.”
About 30 yards away, a plastic bag and some bills changed hands.
A young guy who identified himself only as James sat in a wheelchair, basking in the sun. “I’d like to keep it as green as it is,” he said.
Over on the south side of the park, John Alexander and Ray Gutierrez stood talking near the park’s south-side amphitheater. They leaned against a balustrade, bedrolls and rucksacks at their feet.
Now, when you’re jobless and homeless like Alexander and Gutierrez, public buildings such as libraries and museums are lifesavers in winter. So the two aren’t taking a stand against cement. They just don’t want any more here.
“I’ve enjoyed this park very much,” said Alexander, who arrived here from Maryland in 2000. “If they built another building, it would probably knock the scale of the park down. There would be fewer squirrels and birds.”
He paused. “But that’s just my opinion.”
His buddy agreed. Squinting from beneath a battered ballcap, Gutierrez took in the park and shook his head.
“Isn’t there enough concrete?” he said. “They should strive for a sense of balance and unity. Keep it simple.”
Frederick Olmsted, the architect of New York’s Central Park who also helped plan Denver’s mountain parks, would have shaken his hand.
So there it is, an argument for keeping Civic Center park green. Straight from a few of the folks who use it.
William Porter’s column appears twice a week. Reach him at 303-954-1977 or wporter@denverpost.com.
