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Pros

People in favor of reunification say:

• A reunified Courthouse Square would improve the quality of life for residents by promoting a sense of community and civic pride.
• An inviting gathering spot would beckon people downtown, which would promote shopping in the area, and that would strengthen the local economy.
• A pleasant, central hub would make the entire city more attractive and generally more appealing as a tourist destination, bringing in additional revenue.

Cons

People against reunification say:

• The money would be better spent on more essential and practical projects.
• Mendocino was extended through the square, in the first place, to help combat traffic congestion in downtown. Reunifying the plaza would bring back traffic problems.
• Reunification wouldn't work because the reason people don't go downtown has nothing to do with a town square or lack thereof. They have simply found more convenient and/or cheaper alternatives for shopping.

Yes...but...

The final group is in favor of reunifying Courthouse Square, but is unhappy with the plans that have been drawn up. They say:

• Once you add in the two new streets and parking, the actual park area is considerably smaller than what we have now.
• It's been called "a parking lot with a little green in the middle."
• Diners at Wolf's Coffee, Cafe Japan, Flavor and the Cantina will no longer be able to people watch and enjoy a view of the square. Instead, they'll have a view of parked cars.
• The Empire Building, the nicest one in town, will be cut off from the square by a street and two rows of parking.

• The large redwood trees, which are now about 40 years old, will be cut down.

People in the final group say they would prefer to simply close off Mendocino Ave. and not open up the two other streets and the associated parking. But city officials and downtown merchants say that, in order to attract consumers downtown, this additional parking in the square must be added.

Where It Stands

City Council members have stated that they will proceed with the plan. But, for now, the stretch of Hwy. 101 which goes through downtown is in the process of being widened, and construction is planned to continue through 2008. Traffic is already being re-routed, so any redevelopment in Courthouse Square will have to wait until after the freeway project is complete. In the meantime, council members are trying to figure out how to fund the reunification. The best hope is to win state and federal grants.

In the summer of 2006, the City Council set aside $250,000 from the general fund to go toward future reunification. Although the amount is just a fraction of what is needed, it does demonstrate the city's commitment to reunification.

Update: In November 2006, the Santa Rosa City Council agreed to fund a $100,000 design contest to help find a design team which will make the reunification a reality. The contest is expected to last until late 2007.