The blue sky is very striking in this photo. I like the subject you are trying to capture. There are just a few things I think would improve this photo - 1) whenever you think you have your composition, take two steps forward and see if it doesn't get better. I think it would in this case. 2) The focus is off - it's a bright sunny day and I don't understand why the focus is so off. If you use photoshop, you can also sharpen the final image - which would work a bit here.
This too simplistic and understated. I think it would have been better closer to your subject, or even panned right a bit, the building over there seem more interesting than to the left. Also your horizion is tilted enough to feel uncomfortable.