As a resident of the Loring Park community, today's decision to grant a demolition permit was very painful personally. As a Drama student at Bemidji State College in the 60s we made many trips to stay at the Maryland Hotel on LaSalle Ave. then walk across Loring Park to see what was to us the epitome of the "theatre experience". How would I have ever imagined that one day I would sit in a room with people deciding the fate of this magical experience. Whenever I go to the Guthrie today, I still look at the seat towards the back wall where we sat looking "so cool" in our Neru Jackets that were popular at the time - for about two weeks. I listened to Ralph Rapson speak eloquently this afternoon about what the space meant to him, and that it is really a lot more than the physical structure of the "Guthrie" building.
To be honest, I have very mixed emotions about this entire situation. I love what the Walker design could give to my neighborhood, the City/State/Country. The Walker Art Center is one of the premier arts institutions in the country and their vision is wonderful. Many of us in Loring Park will embrace the new building and the expansion of the sculpture gardens. But the cost seams too high. Much more thought needs to be given by the Walker organization to their decision to demolish the theater building. The Walker Art Center can, and should, work still with critic's to make sure that all possibilities for use of the building have been exhausted. _______________________________________ 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
