Frequent public area (6)
I believe the answer is:
common
This clue is a triple definition!
'frequent' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'public' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
'area' is the third definition.
(common is a kind of area)
(Other definitions for common that I've seen before include "for everyone" , "Ten a penny" , "Ordinary or wide-spread" , "Widespread; vulgar" , "Shared ground" .)