Yesterday, Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadayoshi answered criticisms from local councilors over his plans for the redevelopment of the municipal baseball stadium site. Councilors are objecting that the plans, which center on an open public space surrounded by a wooded park, do not meet the needs of local residents, nor will bring in large numbers of visitors.
In the clip from RCC News below, Akiba says that there were similar objections to the building Central Park in New York, but that now it is something it is something that is hard to imagine not being there, and a place about which New Yorkers feel great pride.
The reporter says that Akiba believes that holding events such as the Food Festival and similar to Shimane's Furusato Fair in the new plaza will pull in a huge number of people.
The Mayor is then shown saying that he cannot imagine yatai style food stalls being set up in Peace memorial Park, but that events such as the Food Festival now held in Chuo-koen (Central Park) and similar events might be considered (I think here he is referring not to Peace Memorial Park, but to the proposed plaza on the baseball site, as there would be huge opposition from hibakusha groups to such events being held in the Memorial Park. Anyone like to chip in on this translation/interpretation? Anyone from City Hall reading?). He goes on to stress that the Food Festival pulls in 800,000 people in just two days.
As for opposition to the Orizuru Origami Peace Crane Hall, the reporter says Akiba stressed that the idea received a very favorable response from the many experts consulted by the planning committee and ends by saying that the mayor has no intention of changing the plans.
In the original clip this was followed by footage of two opposing councilors saying that they hope that in the time it takes for the plans to be approved and finalized the mayor will take on board some their suggestions.
I have to say, it's quite nice to be on the same side as the mayor for a change.
0 comments:
Post a Comment