In the 75 years since Frank Lloyd Wright proposed a municipal building on the shores of Lake Monona, it has been the subject of countless written words. We add to that accumulation this week with staff writer Joe Tarr's report "Millions More for Monona Terrace." And, as usual when the topic is Monona Terrace, they are words of contention reflecting two differing schools of thought.
The disagreement isn't about the building itself, as it was for the first 60 years of the long discussion about Monona Terrace, but rather about what should be done to enhance its attractiveness to potential patrons. The city's latest consultant-induced dream scenario features a total makeover of two city-owned blocks dubbed Judge Doyle Square. And we can be sure many words will be written about it before ever shovel meets earth.
We can hope this will not be another 60-year conversation, and it almost assuredly will not be; the city has the itch to get something built. One has to admit that after all the decades of doubt and dispute that preceded it, Monona Terrace itself would leave a void in the downtown were it not there. It became fact, and the fact abides. The question now is what to do next.
I call your attention to the approaching deadline for the 2013 version of the Isthmus photo contest. The theme this year is "My Madison Ride," and of course we hope the famed Madison creativity will show up in some entertaining transportation-themed images. Since practically everyone walks around these days with a camera attached to his or her phone, there should be a nearly universal ability to contend in this contest. Stumped as to how to stand out? Get a horse! Or a hearse!
The deadline is Friday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. For more information visit TheDailyPage.com/photocontest.
