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THE MAYOR AND THE MURPHY HOTEL!
(Richmond, VA) On March 1st, about 50 preservationists gathered outside of the General Assembly Building at 9th and Broad Streets to protest a Senate Budget Bill authorizing $16.8 million for the demolition of the historic Murphy Hotel. Legislators, including the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator John Chichester of Fredericksburg, plan to tear down the former hotel for to provide themselves and other state workers with convenient parking.
Mayor Wilder appeared to reiterate the City’s interest in acquiring the now-vacant landmark from the Commonwealth of Virginia, which has allowed the building to deteriorate by deferring maintenance in violation of its own building code. Mayor Wilder—a former Governor—called upon Governor Tim Kaine—a former Richmond Mayor—to cooperate with the City to realize Wilder’s vision of an Urban Law and Health Sciences Center in a renovated Murphy Hotel. The Mayor reminded the crowd at the press conference that the Murphy’s proximity to the State Capitol, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the federal and local courts buildings make it a strategic location for an educational center. Also, he called for the creation of a planning group involving the city, state and federal governments to work cooperatively in Richmond. A.C.O.R.N. has called for this sort of structured, ongoing dialogue between the city and state, which own much land in downtown Richmond. Currently, six significant historic buildings downtown, including a number on VCU’s Medical College of Virginia campus are threatened by state expansion. Meanwhile, the city owns land, which it could make available to satisfy the state’s building needs.
Recalling how the Virginia General Assembly nearly demolished another major Richmond landmark—Old City Hall—for parking several decades ago, Wilder hoped that future generations would look back with gratitude about how the Murphy had been spared. Wilder then announced his for a Capitol Planning Commission with appointee from all levels of government: local, state and federal. This body would review all publicly- owned building and demolitions of them before doing any more violence to Richmond. He said there should be no rush to destroy this City and mentioned that the College of William and Mary along with the University of Richmond have expressed interest in having a satellite campus downtown. Governor Kaine, he said, has been receptive to his ideas.
Influential Architectural Historian, Dr. Charles Brownell, a professor at VCU, reminded the crowd that the disappearance of the city’s unique architecture would result in the creation of another American “Anyburg.” Architect Doug Harnsberger spoke about the solution to the General Assembly's parking needs, which would be met with a 5-story parking deck on the vacant lot at 9th & Broad, with an attractive architectural skin—without demolishing any landmarks.
A.C.O.R.N. started a petition campaign to persuade the Governor to use his authority to halt the demolition of the Murphy and ensure that Richmonders’ voices are heard in the shaping of their city. Mayor Wilder was one of the first citizens to sign A.C.O.R.N.'s petition.
Help A.C.O.R.N. Save the Murphy Hotel - Contact Governor Tim Kaine, Mayor Wilder and
House / Senate Conference Committe to voice your support:
Click Here for the links to the Email addresses House Conferees
Click here for links to the Email addresses for the Senate Conferees
Also, please contact Governor Kaine: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm
AND
Mayor Wilder: wilderld@ci.richmond.va.us
Please email, write, and/or call as many on the above list as you can and
tell them to vote against demolition of the Eighth Street Office Building
and that you want the Murphy Hotel saved.
Thanks for helping us safeguard our city.
A.C.O.R.N. ~ The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
1307-A East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Ph: 804-422-2148
Fax: 804-422-2147