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https://n2v.paloaltoonline.com/square/print/2008/07/02/another-glass-box-building-to-replace-walgreens-building---architectual-review-is-tomorrow

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Another Glass Box Building to Replace Walgreens Building - Architectual Review is Tomorrow

Original post made by Glen, Crescent Park, on Jul 2, 2008

Neighbors,

Please join me tomorrow at the city's architectural review board meeting regarding the replacement for the "Walgreens" building, 310 University. We've lost a classic work of architecture in the Walgreens building - it is now being replaced with a large glass box. I would hope that Palo Alto's Architectural Review Board would save us from the destruction of Palo Alto's look and feel. The Walgreen's building was interesting because it was a classic building with a chain drug store in it. Now we'll have a modern, chain drug store in a modern glass building - that's not the kind of timeless design that will set our city apart in its appearance.

Board member Judith Wasserman called it "edgy and daring." To that I politely say, "No thank you."

-Glen

Comments

Posted by Glen
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jul 2, 2008 at 7:19 pm

Here is the time and place of the meeting:
REGULAR MEETING - 8:30 AM
City Council Chambers, Civic Center, 1st Floor
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

The agenda for the meeting:
Web Link

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Posted by Downtown dweller
a resident of Downtown North
on Jul 2, 2008 at 7:40 pm

Why don't you tell us what you would like to see in it's place--or even better buy the lot and then build what you want.
Not sure what kind of look you think downtown PA has--it is a hodge podge of different buildings built over a long period of time.

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Posted by Agree with Glen
a resident of Community Center
on Jul 3, 2008 at 12:52 am

Whether you can define what you want is irrelevant. If you have eyes and judgment you can see what does not fit.
Telling people to buy the property is so ridiculous, you are not to be taken seriously.

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Posted by In favor
a resident of Community Center
on Jul 3, 2008 at 6:36 am

I like the new building, let's get it approved.

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Posted by Walter E. Wallis
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 3, 2008 at 7:02 am

I have long advocated that the city supply blinders so people who object to the appearance of buildings can adjust them to shield their sensitivities.

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Posted by Fit for what?
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 4, 2008 at 4:43 am

I think it is Glen who does not seem to fit.

Fitness is in the eyes of the beholder.

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Posted by In Favor
a resident of Community Center
on Jul 4, 2008 at 6:56 am

Paris has it's glass pyramid in front of the entrance to the Louvre. Vienna has a huge glass building in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Both highly praised as modern and esthetically compatible with their much older surroundings. Time for Palo Alto to be a little avant guarde.

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Posted by Go for it
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 4, 2008 at 7:10 am

Glen says: "that is not the type of timeless design that will set our City apart" - bland, bland, bland, is what he wants. I agree with Judy Wasserman "edgy and daring" is what Palo Alto desperately needs.

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Posted by carl
a resident of Charleston Meadows
on Jul 4, 2008 at 8:49 am

If we build it, they will come. Don't forget the attraction for tourists and their $.

Isn't this one of the ideas behind hiring a consultant to get people to come to Palo Alto? Make it easier to sell the city - the only thing of worth now is Stanford University, and that's not even in the city!!

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Posted by Money is everything
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 4, 2008 at 10:08 am

Yes, lets make money our only criterion.
The ARB is mostly made up of architects who work for developers. That's why they approve so many monster buildings. For example, Wasserman likes anything Jim Baer proposes.

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Posted by Nora Charles
a resident of Stanford
on Jul 5, 2008 at 5:16 am

When I hear "edgy" I know it's code for ugly and charmless. Alas, as a resident of Stanford the council is not interested in my views. Glen, I sympathize, and you absolutely do "fit!"

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