It "may" be interesting, but it is just a coincidence that the two issues would come up just now.
One of the reasons CLPC requested historic designation for the Fawkes Block was the threat of the Guthrie getting control of the property and demolishing it for their new theater. It turned out that the Guthrie was not that interested in the property due to the lack of parking nearby and the fact that the site was too small for their needs. The prevailing mood in CLPC at that time was to support the Guthrie relocating on the Parade site or adjacent to Dunwoody Institute. While CLPC has held community meetings with the Walker Art Center about their expansion plans, our Board has not taken an official position on the Guthrie demolition due in part to the fact that the Walker/Guthrie complex is not within our neighborhood boundaries. I can tell you though that demolition of the Guthrie is opposed by many residents in Loring Park. However, just as many are very excited about the Walker expansion including the expansion of the sculpture garden. It is a real dilemma for those of us who are passionate about historic preservation but also want to see the arts community a strong and vibrant part of the Loring area. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Jim Berg Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 8:39 AM To: Issues Mpls Subject: Re: [Mpls] Historic Preservation in Loring Needs Your Help It's an interesting coincidence that the Harmon Historic district would come up for a vote just as the Walker Art Center, bordering Loring Park, asks for permission to tear down the Guthrie Theater for a parking lot. Will the Citizens for a Loring Park Community also endorse the effort to save the Guthrie? Surely the Guthrie is as worthy a cultural artifact as buildings commemorating Minneapolis's early automobile industry. (Both mayoral candidates said at the Almanac forum last week that they favored keep the building. Mayor Sayles Belton made a good point of the building being a notable "gateway" to the city as people enter from the west on 394.) The Walker has so far been able to convince everyone that there is no use for the Guthrie building once the theater company itself moves to new digs on the riverfront. That is five years and a capital campaign away, enough time for a new use to be found or the Walker board, administrators, and funders to see the error of their ways. We can all agree, probably, that there is a parking problem in Loring Park and around the Walker-Guthrie complex. The neighborhoods have been talking about it for years. So if that's the problem, let's solve that problem. There's enough space for a ramp at the Parade arena site, and the Walker and Park Board could even give up some of their precious sculpture garden for more parking. The Park Board web site boasts that it is already the largest urban sculpture garden in the country. I recommend we all call the same people the CLPC asks us to call: "your Council Member and Council Member Lisa McDonald (673-2210 or E-Mail), Chair of Zoning & Planning." Only this time ask that the Heritage Preservation Commission's denial of the demolition permit be upheld. It should be on the next Z&P agenda. Also, check out the online petition at www.SavetheGuthrie.org. Jim Berg Ward 9 - Corcoran Minneapolis __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
