But if someone is planning on living anywhere I would hope that they would see it with their own eyes and experience what it’s like to be there for at least a few days.

Your observation on the parking deck is correct. Ideally, it should have been under the ground, but the costs would be astronomical On a positive note, I have read that they will conceal the top floor from the planned towers (Edison), or at least they will make the top floor of the deck more attractive. I have not seen exactly what they have in mind to do, but I am sure it will turn out to be something better than the usual.

That ugly County Jail building is more than an eyesore I just wish they could rebuild it as a much more attractive structure and use the existing location for something far better - assuming a private developer could enter a special deal with the county government… No hope, though

That parking deck should have been underground and a REAL plaza put in it’s place (they are naming too many locations “Plaza” downtown, without an “Actual” plaza).
Hopefully that parking deck will be thoroughly concealed from all views and elevations (will an office tenant or hotel customer be looking down on that ugly gray beast?). If so, it will be just like my Sheraton experience, my room overlooked that ugly prison.

There will be retail along both Blount Str and Wilmington Str. Pedestrians won’t have to see a parking deck as they walk by, except for the entrances/exits. This is more evident on the Wilmington Str side, where you can see a setback. Unless of course something changed since the last time I saw the renderings