2.15.2009

art in the am

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Got Facebook? If so, peep at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/176790/

If not, well, here's the version novella-style:

URGENT: Letter writing campaign!
We're asking you to write a letter (or use or alter one of the ones below) and send it to city officials to let them know you support the saving of the Lafayette Building. PLEASE take a few minutes to do this. WE NEED TO SHOW OFFICIALS THERE ARE AS MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT IT SAVED AS POSSIBLE. If you also can post to the wall to let us know that you've e-mailed some of these people, we'd appreciate it. We'd like to be able to gauge how much public push we've got with us. Thank you!

The Honorable Mayor Ken Cockrel
Executive Office
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 1126
Detroit, MI 48226
kenneth.cockrel@detroitmi.gov
thelma.brown@detroitmi.gov

President George Jackson, Jr.
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
500 Griswold, Ste. 2200
Detroit, MI 48226
gwjackson@degc.org

The Honorable Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340
Detroit, MI 48226
S-Cockrel_mb@ckrl.ci.detroit.mi.us

The Honorable Councilman Kwame Kenyatta
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340
Detroit, MI 48226
K-Kenyatta_MB@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us

The Honorable Councilwoman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1340
Detroit, MI 48226
A_Talabi_mb@atwpo.ci.detroit.mi.us

The Honorable Councilwoman JoAnn Watson
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340
Detroit, MI 48226
WatsonJ@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us

The Honorable Councilwoman Brenda Jones
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340
Detroit, MI 48226
bjones_mb@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us

Sample letters:
-------------------------------- ---------------------

Dear _________,
I am writing in opposition to the demolition of the Lafayette Building downtown.
Buildings such as the Book-Cadillac and Fort Shelby hotels are proof that Detroit’s majestic past can play a significant role in the city’s future and can be saved for future generations.
No other building downtown is like the Lafayette. Its architecture and history cannot be replaced, either by another building or by a parking lot. Once pieces of our city’s past and beauty are gone, they are gone forever.
With the economy struggling, I realize that redevelopment in the near future may be difficult, but I still believe this is one building worth hanging on to. While the building is in need of serious cleaning and stabilization, such work can be done at a fraction of the cost of demolition. Such work also would help market the building to potential developers once things turn around. Graffiti and roof-tree removal also would remove an eyesore that detracts from the nearby Book-Cadillac and other nearby businesses.
One of the first things many people notice about downtown Detroit is its buildings and architecture, bringing filmmakers and photographers from around the region and even the world. Another thing people notice is its already abundant supply of parking lots.
Detroit needs more development and preservation of its past if it is going to have a prosperous future. I urge you and other city and development officials to reconsider razing the Lafayette and consider other more positive and cheaper options for this city landmark.

Respectfully,

-------------------------------- ---------------

Dear _______________,
As a (metro) Detroiter, I am fully supportive of progress in our city. Not every building can be saved - but there are some buildings that should. At the same time, because of the economy, I know one must be realistic. That’s why I support proper cleaning and mothballing of the Lafayette Building, a unique piece of our downtown skyline and streetscape.
I am writing to urge you to spare the Lafayette Building from demolition and stabilize it for future development. The city of Detroit is blessed to have a rich history and amazing architecture that should be embraced, not replaced, with parking lots.
As a (metro) Detroiter, I do not want to see available blight and revitalization funds used to demolish buildings that can be saved and reused downtown. Such funds should be used to raze burned out homes in the neighborhoods. Especially when the Lafayette can be mothballed and preserved; it poses no danger to anyone, unlike crack houses in neighborhoods.
I also am fully aware that the Lafayette Building is an eyesore that threatens the success of the Book-Cadillac Hotel and other developments. But I believe that there are ways to have the hotel prosper while still sparing the Lafayette. Cleaning graffiti off the windows (as was done to the United Artists Building), felling of the roof trees and protecting the roof, securing the cornice and points of entry must be significantly cheaper than the cost of demolition and the loss of a key piece of the city’s history and a potential home for a prosperous business.
I urge you and other city and development officials to properly secure and clean up this link to Detroit’s magnificent past. A building that is cleaned, secured, empty and waiting redevelopment is better than another overgrown field or parking lot downtown.

Respectfully,

putnam said...

what counts as a canvas?