Details of what two readers think a downtown civic center should be:

Details of what two readers think a downtown civic center should be:
BILL SCHROEDER
The site should be modeled after Toronto, where SkyDome and a convention center sit near each other without a sea of parking lots. Existing parking should be worked into the plan.
The building should be able to hold sporting events, trade shows and entertainment acts.
Outside, the building's ground level should be peppered with eateries, offices and businesses. A tower should be a focal point, which should have offices, a restaurant and apartments.
A ring of businesses should be built on the site. The area around the center should also offer space for service-type businesses, government offices, a small museum, a park, indoor-outdoor ethnic food court and apartments geared toward singles or couples. Historical buildings should be converted into hotel rooms, or a hotel could stand on its own.
DAN McCOWN
The building should be able to hold sporting events, trade shows and large meetings; there also should be an exposition center and hotel.
Outside those buildings should be many other attractions. For example: an amphitheater; river front park; a nine-hole, par three golf course, driving range and miniature golf; a sled or toboggan run; public skating rink with ice in the winter and pavement in the summer for inline skating.
Also, restaurants and theme retail shops should be worked into the site.
Free or permit-controlled parking should be offered during off-hours.