Newspaper Page Text
October 30, 1991 .ikgpok iHagazini! Page 11
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are debatable, but is a "knowledge of the slab" a sufficient
reason for retaining the Polshek design above other de
signs. And, how much does Polshek know?
Flagpole: There's been some tafk about the proposed
site itself. Apparently there's a granite slab lying under the
topsoil somewhere on the site that might hinder construc
tion of your designs. Some people have wondered if the
site is feasible at all.
Hartung: in what way?
FP: Well I don't know much about architecture...
Hartung: Well I wonder how much these "people" know
FP: Still...
Hartung: Well, we're working off geological information
provided to us by Barton Mallow[an Atlanta based firm]which
tell us to the best extent possible where the rock location is.
Our designs are based upon a professional opinion that
we're going to miss that rock. It’s not folly, it’s personal
experience and reputation not only of us, but of local
engineers who have done the analysis to determine where
the rock is. As to whether it’s an appropriate site or
not...that's a hard one to answer. But it’s definitely feasible.
There have been buildings there before.
Other Problems
The original Polshek design does not meet up to the
original program’s size specifications in every area of
design. The figures speak for themselves. The program
calls for 6,000 square feet of meeting rooms — the Polshek
plan provides only 4,220 The program calls for a 12,000
square-feet ballroom/banquet hall — the Polshek plan
provides only 10,050. The program calls for 6,000-8,000
square feet of kitchen space — the Polshek plan provides
only 5,250 The original program calls for 30,000 square
feet of exhibit hall space — the Polshek plan provides only
21,600 The program calls for a theater with 1,800-2,100
seats — the Polshek plan provides 1,619.
Polshek, a well-respected firm, claims the tight budget
constraints are to blame for this problem. Said Hartung,
“give us another $100,000, and we can build more space."
Blount has claimed more modifications could be made on
the original Polshek plan if it would just be approved. These
modifications would include size, and possibly even fa
cade. When asked him about the additional cost, he
demurred, stressing the importance of moving ahead
quickly, that a "quick entry" would take advantage certain
opportunities for savings in construction costs and by
moving quickly the Authority can, along with Polshek, make
the modifications necessary to actually fulfil the original
program needs without spending any more money.
$1.2 million for what?
Over $1.2 million has been spent on obtaining the
design scheme known as Polshek I. If the contract with
Polshek and Partners is terminated, all the work done by
them goes back to the firm. Says Hartung, "If we’re [Pol
shek] terminated... our design products are a product of
our services, and they go with us." What does that include 9
If Polshek’s contract is terminated, will the Authority be
back to square one? Is this a viable reason foi retaining their
services?
So what’s the hurry?
The whole point of this article was to find some answers
to some of the questions surrounding the Polshek/civic
center issue. But as investigation progressed, it became
apparent that there was little information to be found.
There are so many issues surrounding the civic center
some of which have been touched on here. There has also
been talk about the number of seats in the theater, and what
it might be used for. The question of whether the entire
facility would even be utilized to an extent that warrants
immediate action.
The Classic Center Authority seems to oe in a real hurry
to have a decision made and continue on with the project.
They made a decision early on to do their best to make sure
that this program would be completed on time. It's good
that they are so committed. But the project is not ready to
move on. If the facts were there, and all of these questions
were answered, the situation would be different. Rushing
into a $17 million project without ail the facts is folly. Basic
questions as to the size and the cost of tne project need to
be answered before any further steps towards construction
can be made.
W M. Overend
Coming soon: The stabbing in College Square — violence
in the streets? Also, Polshek Answers, part 2
From behind the curtain...
Things that go bump in the night...
That Civic Center
On Tuesday, November 5, the Athens/Clarke govern
ment will take another step in resolving the issue of the civic
center. They could do almost anything, but don't expect a
final resolution. The only question they are likely to resolve
is whether or not to accept the authority’s recommendation
to build Polshek One. It is unlikely that it will be accepted.
Polshek One will be laid to rest unless a few commissioners
feel compelled to contradict their public statements with
their votes. That is not an
impossible situation. There
are some commissioners who
have verbally supported one
side of an issue and then
voted the other way How
ever, all the members of this
government have proven
themselves to be very respon
sive to public input (espe
cially an avalanche of phone
calls). They are waiting to
hear from you
If Polshek One is rejected, the government will need to
decide what to do next. Eighth District Commissioner, Ken
Jordan, has presented an outline that couid be used in
establishing a process to resolve the issue. Briefly, it calls
for coming to terms with the current architects (Polshek)
and, depending on negotiations, either terminating their
contract or accepting a new design from them If Polshek
were fired, then the project would be put on hold, studies
would be done and a new architect would be chosen. The
building blocks of a compromise are in Mr. Jordan’s plan
Expect the government to implement some process that is
similar to it A plan will only work if it forces the issue to be
resolved on the economic viability of the center and not on
hidden agendas We have already spent a fortune with
Polshek We should think long and hard before we spend
another dime Your opinion is important. Talk to your
commissioners They are waiting to hear from you.
DGwniown Trouble
The civic center isn't the only reason that the commis
sioners’ phones have been ringing. A number of issues
have been swirling around Downtown Athens and have
gotten to the point where they are demanding attention.
They are real problems that need to be addressed. There
are problems related to alcohol, litter, safety, vandalism,
homelessness, crime, police protection, gang violence
and street vendors, to name a few
Last Wednesday, over a
hundred merchants, rt si-
dents and students crowc ?d
into a meeting room on ne
5th floor of the courthous to
hear what the governrr nt
was planning to do about '.e
problems in downtown A
number of people there
where disappointed when
they were informed that this
meeting wasn’t the time or
place for them to let the gov
ernment know how they felt The mood turned a bit angry.
A meeting was called for 7 p m, Tuesday, November 12,
in City Hall. It would be for people to express their opinions
about the state of Downtown Athens. If you are at all
concerned about the center of our community, you should
be there You should also discuss the issues over the
phone with the members of the government.
Your input on the problems of the Downtown area is
important. Write or call the commissioners and let them
know how you feel. If we could call about the civic center
we can call about the health of Athens We need to work
together as a community to solve these problems We need
as individuals to act responsibly and to treat others with
respect. All the problems and all the solutions begin with
each of us We have a great deal of power Use It.
Dennis F. Greema
Publisher, Flagpole Magazine
There are problems related to
alcohol, litter, safety,
vandalism, homelessness,
crime, police protection, gang
violence and street vendors,
to name a few.
C-HUNDRED FILM CORP
LIGHTHEARTED NATION / Jim McKav
JUST HOLD STILL / Jem Cohen
FIGURES/James Herbert
i i i i i I i i~
"T T T ‘T'T^T
Friday, November 1, 5-8pm
Drop in for our evil
After Hours Happening
at Georgia Museum of Art
i 11 tit i t.clli t cit i 5 t~i!i t~rtrtrtl ;j) j l j t i V i tl j iLl
r i i i i i i i i i i
SATURDAY &
SUNDAY ItltlXII
lO AIM TO 4I*M
We're making a wild & wonderful
range of vegetarian ethnic didies,
or try a delicious Col. Mustard sandwich.
New item: Red Pepper Chile Pesto
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-JM
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Wed.
30
Lance Bang Films/Blood Kin
1
Thu.
1
Cryin' Gwcjirls / PEDNECK GPEECE
1
Frl.
2
Sunspots/Uic Harney
1
Sat
3
^D-UTjHrrs/Miley&Rhodes
Sun.
4
SpO’l t S & their truly Dadd Horn Section
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Mon.
5
CLOSEd (SoNbATHiNg)
1
Tue.
6
Clamp/Bob/LISA M.
1
Wed.
7 1
Bad Bot Butch Batson/ lafog
1
Thu.
8
Nikki Meets the Hibatchi/Jcbp 5iara
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Fit
9
The Woggles
1
Sat
10
Vigilantes of Low/Newt Carter
Sun.
11
from Seattle, HMIERBOXWw % Him
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