I'm the writer of the critical commentary. Your article doesn't respond to my criticisms and makes misleading statements. Of the "30 community and stakeholder meetings" conducted, only 13 were open to the public. Of those, 10 were Neighborhood Board Meetings at three neighborhood boards. These meetings were short and according to one Boardmember, their suggestions were completely ignored. That leaves only three meetings that were open to the public. 

Since the mission of the DES is to be financially self-sustaining, it opens Thomas Square to commercialism. Indeed, DES manages 37 concession contracts at 31 locations which brought in $3,223,453 in 2014. Thomas Square? Kaching! 

In order to maximize profit, you could make rules banning food and beverage as you do at the Shell. And you can make rules all on your own without any public, community, or political oversight. 

Dont' take Thomas Square from the public and sell it to political cronies! 

Leave Thomas Square a free public park!