Let's preserve the memories of some of our leaders
Re the question in the News-Press, "What should the Glendale City
Council do about the Glendale Federal Building?":
Glendale Federal Savings and Loan died a horrible death, and those
tin louvers are a pile of junk. But ... "Mr. Glendale Federal" Mr.
Hoeft ... that is different.
Across the front of the building should be a big sign: "The Hoeft
Building." Then in the lobby, a large portrait of Mr. Hoeft with a
bronze plaque telling how great he was (Glen Fed, Glendale Symphony,
etc.).
Then while we are doing this, how about "Mr. Glendale" Carol
Parcher? I know a 20-foot statue in the middle of Broadway and Brand
Boulevard would probably not fly ... but maybe in front of City Hall.
BLENN WHITAKER
Glendale
Activists should can idea
of preserving building
I was a tenant for many years in the Glendale Federal Building at
401 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, being a partner in a law firm
occupying most of the fourth floor.
The idea of the building being historical is laughable. It is and
was ugly, made poor use of its floor space, had terrible elevator
service, was subject to undue heat from the sun and has many other
faults. As soon as better buildings were built, I moved. The other
tenants of my firm agreed.
The City Council should not prevent the present owner from
improving the building or tearing it down and starting over again.
At Brand and Mountain Street, there is a subterranean toilet
facility dating from the days of streetcars.
Why don't the activists claim that it should be a historical
monument? It would make as much sense.
WENDELL B. WILL
Glendale
Not so much prevention as trying to revive downtown
It is not true that preservationists want to prevent Nicholson
Vertex from developing the annex of the former Glendale Federal
Savings and Loan building, as stated in the Jan. 29 News-Press
article.
We absolutely want it developed, but in a way that will revitalize
our downtown, not suffocate it. Unfortunately, the Glendale Federal
complex has become an architectural "poster child" crying out the
desperate need for a new development ethic in Glendale -- an ethic
that has hit its stride in many other cities.
This ethic is one in which we utilize our great historic anchor
properties -- of which we have precious few -- to create an
"urbanscape" where people want to dwell, shop, live it up, eat, walk,
or just "be" all the time, because it feels wonderful and looks
gorgeous [all the time].
I'm thankful that at least the article mentioned developer Tom
Gilmore, whose exciting vision for a mixed-use Glendale Federal sent
electricity through council chambers on [Jan. 27].
ARLENE VIDOR
Glendale
Glen Fed -- pride of ownership, great location!
It is very easy to tell someone what to do with their building.
I suggest that Mike Resnick, Sally MacAllen and Tim Gilmore
purchase the building at fair market value and take the financial
risk involved in developing said building.
ED CAMERON
Glendale
