------ Forwarded Message From: joe gioia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 08:33:33 -0500 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: SavetheGuthrie.org grateful for National Trust listing for Guthrie Theater
National Trust for Historic Preservation Names Guthrie Theater to U.S. Most Endangered list at Urging of SavetheGuthrie.org PRESS RELEASE June 6, 2002 Minneapolis, MN -- When SavetheGuthrie.org nominated the Guthrie Theater to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of the nation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites we were confident that the National Trust would recognize immediately what the Walker Art Center, the theater's owner, has chosen to ignore: that the Guthrie is a peerless architectural accomplishment and a landmark of the American stage. We are delighted that with today's announcement the National Trust not only affirms what the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office determined in April -- that the Guthrie Theater is one of the defining buildings of Minnesota -- but also asserts that it without question enriches the cultural life of the entire nation. In fact, the National Trust's concern for the future of the Guthrie Theater building does not stop with today's announcement. It is prepared to commission and help fund a comprehensive reuse study of the Guthrie in order to investigate maintenance requirements and new uses for the building once the Guthrie Theater Company has moved out. It should now be clear to all: Destruction of the original Guthrie Theater would be ill advised, tragic and stupid; stupid for being done with no regard for art, for history and for future generations of Americans. SavetheGuthrie.org is grateful for the support of many from across the country and around the world and with their help will continue to fight for the preservation of the theater. SavetheGuthrie.org is commencing a fund raising campaign to help defray costs for its continuing effort. It as well as entering into a partnership, called the Guthrie Preservation Coalition, with the National Trust and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota to commission the reuse study and work to implement its recommendations for the continued artistic and financial success of the building. We also ask for any help people can offer; to sign a petition, make phone calls, write Minneapolis elected officials or attend public hearings. On Tuesday June 11, 2002 the Zoning and Planning Committee of the Minneapolis City Council will hear an appeal filed by SavetheGuthrie.org of the city Planning Commission's approval of the Walker Art Center's plan for the Guthrie site. We hope this hearing will restore a sense of procedure and respect for the city's history missing from earlier municipal decisions on the fate of the Guthrie. We invite the public to attend and show its support for this great American building. The public hearing will take place at 1:30 PM in City Council Chambers, Room 317, Minneapolis City Hall. We encourage all interested people to come show their support. For more information go to http://www.SavetheGuthrie.org as well as the National Trust's web site at: http://www.nationaltrust.org . contact: Paul Metsa 612 788-6815 Joe Gioia 612 874-8392 ------ End of Forwarded Message _______________________________________ 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
