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The Mayor vs. the Czar, or can't we all just get along?

RAY MCALLISTER
POINT OF VIEW
Friday, September 17, 2004

Call it the Mayor vs. the Czar.

The Battle of Broad Street.

Richmond Mayor Rudy McCollum called Wednesday for a moratorium on tearing down historic public buildings, especially three that Virginia Commonwealth University wants to tear down.

"Decisions to demolish these buildings are made at the state level," McCollum said at a news conference. "Yet they have serious consequences for the city of Richmond and its historic character."

VCU President Eugene Trani the Napoleon of university expansion is, well, not keen on McCollum's idea.

But Trani, used to getting his way, apparently never knew the announcement was coming.

Let's back up. This has been a legitimate debate. I talked to Robert Winthrop, Richmond's architectural expert supreme, six weeks ago about the buildings.
Click here.

Winthrop said the demolish-or-keep issue is always a tradeoff. "On one hand, you have straightforward historical and artistic value: Was it meant as a work of architecture? With [the] hospital, there's no question that it was a very high-style design.

"And the other question is usefulness: Can you say that it's 'rescuable'?"

Winthrop said VCU's West Hospital, built in segments in 1936 and 1941, is one of only two classic art deco buildings remaining in Richmond (the other being the former Central National Bank building at Second and Broad streets). "They're very fine buildings, almost perfect examples of art deco."

Winthrop acknowledged the hospital's cross-shaped design causes congestion, especially with medical equipment, air conditioning and modern utilities. He said most architects would have suggestions. His is to add shafts or towers on the outside to save the building.

But save it: "At one point in Richmond's history, that building was almost a symbol of Richmond," he said.

I repeat all that for two reasons.

The first reason is to hit Trani and VCU over the head with it.

Certainly, this dilapidated building's got problems. What old building doesn't? I'm no expert. But the experts say this is not one of the city's expendable buildings. (There are plenty of expendable ones nearby around VCU's Medical College of Virginia campus.)

Trani's not in the demolition business, is he?

Let's hope VCU never comes into control of Jefferson's state Capitol. Boy, is that baby old.

But the second reason is to hit McCollum over the head with it.

Trani says VCU had been airing its plans for West Hospital and the others for nine months, including meeting with city administrative officials. He said no one raised objections or concerns.

So why now?

Trani and VCU deserve better. They have practically rebuilt Broad Street near its academic campus. Moreover, as Trani points out, VCU hospitals provide $107 million worth of indigent care a year, some $47 million to people in Richmond.

So why are they being blindsided?

If there was common ground to be found, it could have been discussed in private meetings. Could the city have helped with preserving the hospital? Could VCU have designed a new building as an architectural tribute to the old? Were there other compromises? Who knows?

In other words, why all the grandstanding?

McCollum's not in a political campaign, is he?

Ray's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. You can call him at (804) 649-6333; fax (804) 775-8059; or e-mail rmcallister@timesdispatch.com.