A DIFFERING VIEW/Rocky off base in critique of museum in Civic Center
Your melodramatic Oct. 6 editorial about the Colorado History Museum move to Civic Center deserves comment on three points.
First, the museum is precisely the “sort of amenity” that would activate and repopulate the Civic Center. Furthermore, the City Charter allows this use for the Civic Center. The CHM’s programs and exhibits attracted nearly 150,000 visitors last year alone, and, with the contemplated expanded facilities (allowing the museum to finally host major traveling exhibitions) it would easily attract not only more people than that, but make Civic Center the kind of resource that would indeed have a rekindled relevance and a broad appeal.
Second, this new-found devotion to the “open space” in Civic Center, I feel, is disingenuous. If that area were continually populated with Rocky Mountain News staff having picnic lunches, it might be a compelling concept. But this space is not going to be sold or leased or “lost,” it is going to be “utilized,” and the ultimate benefits of that to the community will be immeasurable.
Knowing that, all the visionary designers of Civic Center included the companion building on that empty space. They did so, knowing that it isn't a “park,” it is a civic gathering place. It was in 1908, and it is now.
Third, concepts such as redesigning the Carnegie Library building with some glass enclosure, or a companion building in a location other than that contemplated in the historic Civic Center designs run the risk of ignoring architectural balance and violating historical integrity. The Civic Center is on the National Register, and monkeying around with it risks losing that important historic certification. It makes one wonder whether some people want to save Civic Center grass but are willing to sacrifice the city's reputation and its integrity in the process.
The Colorado History Museum will find indeed a new home, but this is a tremendous opportunity for the city and the state, and a unique opportunity to let the museum be a catalyst for a needed change to Civic Center. Let’s not blow it.
W. Bart Berger is chairman of the Colorado Historical Society.
Good common sense, and without the aid and assistance of yet another superfluous "Blue Ribbon" commission to conclude the obvious.
Bravo!
Posted by Hank on October 12, 2007 07:49 AMWell, now, let's see. We have a huge guano pile - dropped there by the mythical Roc, perhaps? - and a monumental remembrance of an old West Colfax junkyard; along with something resembling a childs pencil box spilled out and the pieces stuck in the ground vertically,on the South-East of Civic Center already. So much for what the letter writer calls "architectural balance and . . . historical integrity."
Might just as well urp up a slag heap, or a mine tailings pile, for the Historical Society ,to go along with the trash already there. I'd be willing to bet a lot of the mountain towns would be happy to send tons of detritus down to Denver, and get the benefit of cleaning up all the local sources for major water pollution in the bargain.
And, what better way to get in on some Federal grants for re-cycling as well?
Ah! Progress! Ain't it wonderful!
Posted by Old Grouch on October 12, 2007 07:53 AM