Modest Proposal : Pershing Square: Soften the Edges

ROBERT D. HERMAN, Professor of Sociology, Pomona College, Claremont

When Pershing Square reopened in February, 1994, after a $14.7-million refurbishing, everyone hoped it would become a lively place for mixing two cultures: the business crowd from Bunker Hill and Latino strollers in the historic Broadway shopping district. Sadly, when I bring students in on Metrolink to visit, the square is nearly empty most of the time.

The obstacle is partly architectural. The problem is not the garish yellow, purple and pink colors, but a new wall around the square that cuts if off from the bordering streets. This is a grievous mistake in design since a city park or plaza draws its vitality, its very life, from the streets around it.

Still, even with this defect, Pershing Square could succeed as a gathering place if the city tries some of the following suggestions, adapted from William H. Whyte’s book about New York, “City: Rediscovering the Center.”

* The purple fountain needs to be repaired properly, as it is frequently inactive. The sight and sound of falling water is important. Signs now tell people to stay out of the shallow basin, discouraging pedestrians from exploring. If the basin is slippery or fragile, it should be resurfaced to permit wading.

* Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world. Why not fill the square’s stage with drama companies, musicians and performance artists, especially during lunch hours. Even modern versions of the soapbox orators of years ago would be a welcome addition.

* Let vendor carts roam. Years ago, the Central Library had a mobile branch on the square. Why not now? Volunteers could use another mobile cart to promote other nearby Downtown sites such as Little Tokyo or the Garment District and explain how to get to them using the Dash bus or the Red Line subway. Carts could sell selected items from city museum gift shops. Nearby Grand Central Market could set up a portable stall to sell produce to commuters heading home. Of course, the number of carts must be kept under control. We don’t need a swap meet. The object is to get people milling around.

* The ambience would be improved by adding small clusters of inexpensive movable plastic chairs. The long benches built into the perimeter of the park are fine for resting your feet, but they don’t encourage conversation or eating in groups.

Families with children strolling up and down Broadway just a block away would be enticed to Pershing Square if there were a modest play yard with swings and slides.

* Since the police substation in the northwest corner seems mostly empty, give Pershing Square its own “mayor.” This uniformed, affable person could greet passersby, answer questions, keep an eye on things.

The goal is to do whatever it takes to attract people. Once you have a few folks dropping by, others will follow. The more people are together socially, the more they connect. And the more they connect, the more they’ll feel part of the city.