The Hook - LETTER- Demolishers must explain

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by Brian Broadus published on 12/13/2007 in the Letters category

by Brian Broadus

published on 12/13/2007

in the Letters category

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LETTER- Demolishers must explain

By BRIAN BROADUS
Published December 13, 2007 in issue 0650 of the Hook

The Beta House, doomed by the new Jefferson Scholars building.
FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR

Dave McNair's December 6 article, "Demo dilemma: When is an old house worth saving?" notes, "[VMDO Architects partner Robert] Moje points out that restoring the Compton House as part of the larger Jefferson Scholars Foundation project simply didn't make practical sense given the condition of the building and the scope of the new project."

If Mr. Moje, speaking for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, is confident of his arguments against preserving the Compton House, why is he arguing them to the Hook and not before Charlottesville City Council?

On September 17, Mayor David Brown and Council made $3 million in a subsidized loan to the Foundation contingent on the soundness of such arguments, and agreed to wait to hear them. By surrendering to an interview with the Hook, Mr. Moje risks nothing but likewise gains the Scholars not a dime. Reporting to Council invites wide public scrutiny (and detailed challenge from experts in building preservation and restoration, federal and state rehabilitation tax credits, and historic preservation easements) but could also win financial rewards for the Foundation-- rewards that it once considered so vital that the Scholars troubled both Council and the County Supervisors to secure them.

McNair continues, "And he [Mr. Moje] bristles at the continuing 'knee-jerk' reaction of some preservationists-- particularly the idea that demolishing the house is a crime."

Preservation Piedmont sent to each Board member of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation a letter courteously laying out in detail the benefits of renovating the Compton House-- almost certainly eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register-- and incorporating it into the new campus. The Foundation is welcome to publish the whole of that letter so that a candid world may better compare the alleged reflexive extremism of our volunteer preservationists to the objectivity of the Foundation's compensated representatives.

Brian C. Broadus, AIA
President, Preservation Piedmont#

Hey, Broadus: The house was for sale. If you wished to control it, you should have bought it. Maybe you still can, money talks. Now go find an old house for sale and buy it. Then do whatever you want with it. (My hunch is that you'll preserve it). God speed to you. posted by Vito Giuseppe at 12/13/2007 9:11:02 PM
The architecture of Eugene Bradbury defines and enriches our community. The demolition of an important Bradbury house by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, an entity that could afford to preserve it and incorporate it into a new design, is a tragedy. Thanks to Dave McNair for shedding light on this sad process. Dan Friedman Charlottesville posted by Dan Friedman at 12/14/2007 1:44:01 PM
That's right, Vito the only thing worth protecting in our society is property rights! Kudos to you for making this compelling and original case. But did you notice that the JSF project relies on $18 million in County-issued bonds? Does that strike you as a triumph of the free market? Aaron Wunsch posted by Aaron Wunsch at 12/15/2007 2:17:00 PM
Didn't they give up on the bond and seek other funds? posted by Vito Giuseppe at 12/16/2007 10:12:02 PM
For the record: the Jefferson Scholars Foundation building campaign relies on an $18-million bond issue from a public agency, the Industrial Development Authority of Albemarle County. The JSF sought an additional $3 million in bonds from the City, but when City Council had the temerity to ask if the JSF had seriously considered preserving the Compton House, JSF decided to seek funding elsewhere. posted by Aaron Wunsch at 12/17/2007 8:35:47 AM

Hey, Broadus:

The house was for sale.

If you wished to control it, you should have bought it. Maybe you still can, money talks.

Now go find an old house for sale and buy it. Then do whatever you want with it. (My hunch is that you'll preserve it). God speed to you.

posted by Vito Giuseppe at 12/13/2007 9:11:02 PM

The architecture of Eugene Bradbury defines and enriches our community. The demolition of an important Bradbury house by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, an entity that could afford to preserve it and incorporate it into a new design, is a tragedy. Thanks to Dave McNair for shedding light on this sad process.

Dan Friedman

Charlottesville

posted by Dan Friedman at 12/14/2007 1:44:01 PM

That's right, Vito the only thing worth protecting in our society is property rights! Kudos to you for making this compelling and original case.

But did you notice that the JSF project relies on $18 million in County-issued bonds? Does that strike you as a triumph of the free market?

Aaron Wunsch

posted by Aaron Wunsch at 12/15/2007 2:17:00 PM

Didn't they give up on the bond and seek other funds?

posted by Vito Giuseppe at 12/16/2007 10:12:02 PM

For the record: the Jefferson Scholars Foundation building campaign relies on an $18-million bond issue from a public agency, the Industrial Development Authority of Albemarle County. The JSF sought an additional $3 million in bonds from the City, but when City Council had the temerity to ask if the JSF had seriously considered preserving the Compton House, JSF decided to seek funding elsewhere.

posted by Aaron Wunsch at 12/17/2007 8:35:47 AM

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