One of the main walkways where I live in downtown Charleston, WV has been closed due to construction for many months. Pretty much all of 2021 and part of 2022 actually, it has been pretty annoying to deal with. Thankfully, the work on Slack Plaza has finally been completed and we finally have an outdoor area with grass to hang out in. This basically works as a backyard to my apartment now and it truly is so nice to have. There are several really nice swings, plenty of tables and chairs to eat outside, a big stage for events, water fountains for kids to play in, water fountains for humans and animals, and of course soft grass to relax in or do other activities.
Many people have said that this construction was a waste of this city's funds, but I disagree. I have already been over there several times and will continue to use this new space regularly. I enjoy taking my lunch over there and just enjoying the breeze and sunlight as I chow down. It may seem insignificant to people who have their own outdoor areas at home, but for somebody like me who live downtown, it is a blessing to have a place to go now. There were already a few other places nearby I could have gone to, but most are old and have been overrun with homeless people and drug addicts.
Slack Plaza is right next to the new KRT bus station, but I haven't noticed the place being taken over by vagrants yet. There is also a police station attached to this area, so I think this will keep people from getting too crazy over there. However, it is a serious thing that we have to be watchful of the grass for dirty needles because you never know. We are pretty sure that we already saw one girl pull out her drugs to start using them right there in front of everybody one quiet evening. Let's hope that does not become a regular thing because this place is way too nice to be ruined by fuckheads like that.
The photos in this post show 