I will admit that, in the past, I’ve been approached by several individuals or groups interested in using the rotunda for one thing or another. For one reason or another, we’ve never successfully put an event together in the space… at least in recent memory. The truth is that I have always been concerned about how a public event in the rotunda would impact my tenants with respect to their business. This question could be debated from either side until the cows come home, but the fact is that we do not have any hard evidence supporting a positive or a negative impact on business during a public gathering in the rotunda.

I’m writing this article today, in advance of the 2009 season, because I am anxious to hear ideas and get opinions from the public on potential uses for the rotunda and thoughts on how such uses may impact my tenants in the building. It is clear to me that 2009 will be a challenging season; and when faced with a challenge, I believe that we must all get our creative juices flowing. Let’s have a conversation about a better way to use a beautiful part of our building. I encourage both my tenants and the public at large to comment on this article.