Comments on: A Bridge to Somewhere?

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:51:28 +0000

Jason has a good point – we don’t need sarcasm or put downs in these comments. Not sure if that was the intent in any of the comments on this post, but everyone should be aware that I encourage good debates and discussions here, but please leave the nasty stuff for other sites.

By: Jason Blankenship

Jason Blankenship — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:18:46 +0000

First of all, courtesy is a 2-way street – Please save the sarcasm, and don’t re-characterize my points to change the meaning of what I said. I didn’t call them architectural gems just said that it was an attractive new structure – which you-all apparently agree with, even for a parking garage.

I’m neither staunchly for or against keeping the bridges but it sounds like others have already made up their minds.

The formative stages are when you consider & review options – and we should approach demolition as a last resort when other options might exist, especially on newer structures.

All that said, given the expansion of the garage and the visual sight lines to the new complex, bridge-removal may be the best solution, but we should be sure before deciding to tear out.

By: steven

steven — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:50:19 +0000

I agree with Blair and Jason, they aren’t “architectural gems”, true this garage is nice compared to most parking garages, but keep in mind the view they are creating of the new Devon Tower. It will be an unobstructed view when removing these. I’m all for adaptive reuse, but can’t think of anywhere to “move them to”. I’d rather see the metal recycled or give them to local artists and let them make sculpture to donate back as public art somewhere. Keep in mind the west portion of the garage is going to be extended upward and outward, so the original design that you see now, if the bridges stayed, would look out of place with the new west garage when completed. As Doc Brown in Back to the Future would say “You’ve got to think 4th Dimensionally.”

By: Blair

Blair — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:44:54 +0000

Sorry, mean that to be funny. It was definitely tongue-in-cheek.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:23:31 +0000

Oh lord, they are nowhere near good enough to join the Baum spires.

By: Blair

Blair — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:05:48 +0000

“an attractive new structure”

Jason, come on man, it is a parking garage. I will grant you that it is comparatively attractive if considered against other parking garages downtown. But we are talking of replacing the view these bridges provide with what will be one of the most significant architectural elements in our entire city. Don’t you think it is a fairly easy decision?

We do have a place to keep significant architectural elements that are no longer needed though…I guess we could put them next to the Baum spires in the Santa Fe garage courtyard.

By: Jason Blankenship

Jason Blankenship — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:16:05 +0000

I like the bridges, they’re functionally useful and visually interesting – plus they’re paid for and fit in the current context, I think it could take an important visual element away from the overall design to remove them (take the same image above and photo-shop the bridges out)

Can it be done – yes – but should it be done? are there options.

plus using them elsewhere is an ad-hoc way to approach design – Maybe do-able, but not certain what the results will be.

I definitely want to see Devon realize the construction of it’s new HQ, but I think it’s a little absurd to have an attractive new structure partially dismantled inside of it’s first 5-10 years if not absolutely necessary

Dismantle the ugly buildings and spare the good ones!

By: Blair

Blair — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:39:44 +0000

agree with Jason…the bridges aren’t all that great, but maybe we can use them at 3rd and Broadway so pedestrians can use the new Chamber Plaza…jk!!

Seriously though, I am glad Devon is upgrading the vista on Harvey. I think the rotunda will look amazing!

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:13:10 +0000

Hmm. “Ornate bridges”???

I don’t see anything there worth trying to force into another location out of architectural context.

By: Seth

Seth — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:37:46 +0000

I would like to see it form some kind of open air sky bridge…that would be awesome!