Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | BP - Dwell time 5 minutes. |
Date: | Mon, 4 Jan 1999 03:12:17 -0500 |
Content-Type: | TEXT/PLAIN |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
On Sun, 3 Jan 1999, Norm/Ilene Tyler wrote:
> Larry, I don't agree with you, although maybe I can't be so long-winded
> in saying why. We often didn't agree on an application and its
> appropriateness, so this is no surprise.
That is not my impression at all. You and I did have a few memorable
disagreements, but I thought in general you and I had similar views.
> Probably 50% (not your stated measely 1%) of the old bus station in Ann
> Arbor will be reconstructed on a new foundation that will allow for a
> full basement over the entire site.
Nothing like this has ever been presented to us or even discussed. What
Martin wants to do is to have the facade (and now a "reconstructed"
facade, not even the original) in front of a completely new building.
There was some discussion of an interior lobby in the "spirit" of the bus
station's styling.
In terms of original materials and structure, I think 1% is a generous
estimate for what would remain.
> The original treatment has been
> long obliterated, which included not only the bus drive-through, but
> also the front-to-back waiting area and rear doors to the waiting
> buses.
That is untrue. The original large waiting room has apparently been made
smaller with a partition. Based on the published 1940 design and
photographs, the covered street or bus drive-through, including the east
facade, is almost completely unchanged -- hardly "obliterated".
> Only the front portion of the open station interior remains, and
> this can be reconstructed with the facade, and incorporated as the lobby
> of the new 10-story building.
Only the front portion of the original bus station interior is in current
use as a waiting room. The rest of it is presumably still there behind
the partition. But *all* of it would be destroyed and discarded under
this proposal except the front wall.
> This seems like a logical and
> complementary evolution of the building over time that justifies
> approval of the plan.
I am dumbfounded that you can say something like that about such a naked
facadism.
> It is also financially defensible and consistent
> with other downtown development plans for the city.
Actually, I predict that it will never be built. The bus station will be
demolished, and the overly ambitious 10-story building and
"reconstruction" will fall victim to the next recession. I guess that
means we'll end up with an undistinguished low-rise building with maybe a
plaque commemorating the vanished bus station.
> Perhaps I can attach a scan of the original and proposed plans...
Please do!
Larry Kestenbaum
|
|
|