Convention Center Hotel creates...a dead urban street?
Okay, so there are windows, I suppose. But other than that, newly-released renderings reveal that Walt Worthy's Convention Center Hotel won't do much to improve the pedestrian experience on East Main. While in the past, pedestrians walking on the north side of Main were forced for walk past several surface parking lots, now they will have to endure four floors of above-ground parking with minimal facade improvements and interaction with the built environment.
Had the parking for Convention Center Hotel been built underground or in a better configuration, this could have been an incredible opportunity to revitalize two streets instead of one, especially with re-development at the former Huppin's Building and at the Bennett Block, both of which are in the midst of major remodels. Imagine streetfront retail or restaurants on this side of the building. The result would have been a more continuous string of restaurants and smart downtown retail all the way to Main Market and beyond. That would have provided an economic boost and a cultural boost. This in contrast with the Spokane Falls Boulevard-side of the building, which looks comparatively excellent for pedestrian interaction and space (see a photo after the break).
Instead, we are left with a mostly uninviting urban environment reminiscent of the currently-empty downtown EWU Center.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments, on Twitter, on Facebook, and all over the web. We love to hear from you.
This side, the Spokane Falls Boulevard-side of the Convention Center Hotel looks great for pedestrian interaction. But what about the side on Main Street? (PHOTO: Davenport Hotel Collection)