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CITIZEN LETTERS TO DR. EUGENE TRANI
Dear Dr. Trani -
I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding VCU's plans to demolish this landmark building in downtown Richmond. I won't take your time with sharing the historic and architectural reasons that this structure is such a vital part of Richmond. Others have, and will continue to tell you those stories.
You have done so many things "right" since your arrival at VCU that I am having a real problem understanding how you and/or the VCU Board of Visitors can even entertain the demolition option for more than a very fleeting second. So many of the VCU buildings on the medical campus have added absolutely nothing to a proud civic statement of this community. In fact, numerous buildings are nothing more than ugly boxes that have been designed with only interior functions in mind. What will generations to come think of those box-buildings 50 or 100 years from now? The West Hospital is a signature structure to the same extent of your own office location and residence.
VCU owes the entire community the benefit of sharing all the studies, reasoning, plans, and alternatives that have been part of your consideration before any additional action is taken that removes this prominent building from the Richmond skyline. PLEASE remember -- demolition is forever. This is not a decision that can be revisited once any structure has been taken away from us.
Juanita ('Nita) Parry
"Maury Place"
3101 West Franklin Street
Richmond, Virginia 23221
Telephone 804-358-1659