With the economy in question; heavy bond issues for the hospital; and needed school support, it was no surprise that an $8 million-plus bond issue for a new police building failed to pass. That our present police facilities are inadequate is quite clear, but must we keep being force fed subtle variations from a Texas architectural firm originally hired by Chief Lindley, whose over priced design and contract was then given one local architect to make it more palatable locally?
We have seen the same or similar designs from that Texas firm placed out on Highway 25; on several sites downtown and now on the North side of old 82. The price tag is always $8 million-plus and is always turned down by voters. Our mayor, aldermen, and police chief need to take a fresh look and a fresh approach to this issue!
Robert Preston Stringer in a recent letter to the editor suggested a better approach. He proposed an open architectural competition to look at solutions in a fresher and more creative way. I would endorse his idea, perhaps even broadening his challenge to look at not only a fresh architectural solution but also looking at alternative site strategies.
As an example I have proposed closing off the north end of Lafayette Street and having courage to condemn 300 feet both west and east of Lafayette. Secure parking for police could be under the new simple elevated municipal building, which would be entered down Lafayette from Main Street. The building, simply done with abundant landscape, could rejuvenate the marginal appearance of Old Highway 82, replacing a blighted area (instead of jumping the street to the park like Northwest corner of 389 and Old 82 as was proposed most recently). Visualize Old 82 as a long landscaped boulevard with a treed median……urban on the town side to the south and left residential to the north.
An architectural competition, open to all Golden Triangle architects, could stimulate our understanding of alternative solutions; bring fresh ideas and concepts to the citizens, then even allow the citizens to vote on their favorite schemes. It is time for a fresh approach.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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