The Springfield Square Loses Again

Today the city of Springfield announced that Park Central Square has been deemed eligible to be named in the National Register of Historic Places, thereby throwing yet another wrench into the plans to redevelop the former Heers department store building. The historic preservation commission says the center portion of the square is eligible because of its association to noted landscape architect Lawrence Halprin.
By this designation, the city will be unable to start construction on rebuilding the square by the August first deadline set up in an agreement with developer Kevin McGowan with Blue Urban, which could throw the whole Heers situation into the unknown again. NOW city leaders say they will concentrate on the outside edge of the square which isn't covered under the historic eligibility decision.
This whole decision and the politics behind it disgusts me. For years, the square has languished in a state of disuse, except for those who have to leave the state office buildings to smoke. The renovation of the Heers building is seen as they keystone in reviving downtown because of its sheer size and the cost of making it viable again. Now that we have someone willing to invest in the Heers building, especially in a time of economic downfall, we shouldn't be making the whole process more difficult.
I think it must be noted that the redesign of the square by Lawrence Halprin (or someone working for his company) is interesting but ultimately that project was a massive failure. A major portion of the square's new look under Halprin's plan closed the square off to all traffic, creating a pedestrian mall to compete with the Battlefield Mall and other similar shopping centers. What it ACTUALLY did was make shoppers park further away from businesses and created a mess of one way streets that discouraged downtown traffic thereby sending shoppers to the mall and away from the square. Over the years, traffic (but not parking) was allowed back onto the square but it was too late.
I love downtown Springfield and I want to see it as a vibrant business and entertainment district, however I think today's announcement, which could make Kevin McGowan give up, is horrible news.