In a message dated 11/12/2007 4:39:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Please take note of the extreme language used to describe the enclosing of a porch. Please also note the opinions offered on how that one alteration would impact the overall area. If that type of language and imagery has been used by UCHS in its newsletter to describe the alteration of one building, what can we expect them to say about the hotel project's impact on entire streetscapes? There's something that makes this duplicity on the part of Mike Hardy and those of his colleagues who abhor desecration of the local visual aesthetics until one of their inner circle is involved. When the hubbub arose over the porch enclosure at 4323 Spruce, the owner of the building welcomed a recommendation by Arlene Matzkin (I may have the last name spelled wrong) for a redesign that complements the original building. He took down the original facade (which even I admit was not attractive) and implemented Arlene's design -- at, I imagine, no small expense. The point is that the porch infill was a change that could be readily reversed or easily modified to be made more compatible with the visual aesthetics of the neighborhood. And, even if the owner of that building wasn't so accommodating, someone else could have changed or removed the work in the future. Now, think about an 11-story 100-ft-or-so-long building running west from 40th Street in the midst of an area of 3- and 4-story twins and singles. If it gets built, it'll be -- for all practical purposes -- permanent both in structure and design. And neighbors who complain as Mike's article stated "... when a neighborhood developer shows a complete lack of regard for the quality, appearance, and consideration of his neighbors, I can’t sit idly by. I am of course talking about (the work at 4323 Spruce Street). Right now, it looks like he is building a bunker" will have no way of getting any reversals or modifications. I know Mike Hardy quit this list years ago because he didn't like to read opinions he didn't share. But perhaps someone will show Karen's and this post to him and ask him to explain how he can think one way last year and take the opposite position this year. Maybe there's an explanation that has nothing to do with who's stroking whom. How about it, Mike? Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
