Designers of the city-funded parking deck next to Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville have whittled away at a creative vision of a deck practically camouflaged by retail and office space until they’ve proposed a utilitarian structure that adds parking spaces but little else to the entertainment district experience.

Based on years of discussion, that’s not the vision many had come to expect for this project. At one time, talk of a deck prominently included the concept of so-called liner buildings that supporters said would blend the deck into the surroundings while helping to promote the vibrant shopping, eating and entertainment experience the Dickson Street area has become.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan implemented the wildly unpopular paid parking program in the area to pay for this parking deck and has steadily worked to make it a reality. Its construction will largely benefit the Walton Arts Center with additional nearby parking for its patrons, but the area as a whole will benefit as well.

Supporters of Dickson Street have long wanted to ensure a deck there contributed more than just spaces for cars. No one wanted a deck that looked like a parking deck. Of course, there are limits - if it walks like a deck and quacks like a deck, so to speak. But Fayetteville policies for several years have sought to make the downtown/Dickson Street area something more. Words like “superbly walkable” and such, with a desire to create a pleasant street-level walking experience.

Designs presented last week, however, included only 1,500 square feet of liner building that will likely house tiny offces for the city’s Parking Management Division and possibly a small police office.

All in all, this isn’t much more than a parking deck.

Alderman Sarah Marsh perhaps captured the sentiments of those expecting more most clearly.

“I don’t want to have another dead space in our downtown,” she said. “When you’re designing a walkable city, every block matters. And having activity and storefront windows at every block is important.”

Jordan’s administration made the argument that the main goal is to create more parking, and the resulting design confirms their commitment to that. But after all these years of talk about the potential that Fayetteville could creatively address the parking needs while adding a little “funky” to equation, one can hardly criticize those disappointed by the plans his administration produced.

The bonds issued by the city to pay for this $6.2 million project, according to Jordan’s finance director, will not permit the money’s use for building commercial space. That sounds a lot like acknowledging investment bankers and lawyers are designing this thing more than Fayetteville’s leadership or public.

Our suspicion is city planners and leaders would expect more if this was a parking deck built by the private sector, but are willing to accept “good enough” when it involves their own project.

Perhaps this is the best Fayetteville’s leadership can do, but we’re glad to see designers sent back to the drawing board. If the design remains as is, it’s only appropriate for Fayetteville residents to feel a sense of disappointment at the outcome.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 01/06/2014