The condition of the (current) park is a shame

A small plaza currently exists at the site, but is frequented far more often by the homeless than shoppers.
"The condition of the (current) park is a shame," said Russ Mitchell of the U.S. Grant Hotel, which is across the street. The city's landmark inn has lost meeting business because of the area's appearance, he said.
Faulconer said if the project is approved by the City Council on Tuesday, Westfield will tear down the building, and the Centre City Development Corp. will handle design work, followed by construction.
"If all goes according to plan, we can expect this plaza -- and this park -- to open on New Year's Eve -- Dec. 31, 2013," Faulconer said.
The building targeted for destruction currently houses a Sam Goody music store and the upscale clothier Abercrombie & Fitch, but is mostly unoccupied, said Jerry Engen, senior vice president of corporate development for Westfield Shopping Malls.
He said those businesses would be moved to other locations within the mall. "It really becomes a front door for Horton Plaza," Engen said of the park, which could attract thousands of people to the mall.