Now you feel our pain (possible demo of 44th/Camelback VNB)

[azpreservation]

With the news that two former Valley National Bank branches face the wrecking ball (44th/Camelback in Phoenix; Rural/Apache in Tempe), maybe all those Modern Phoenix Neigborhood Network fans out there (of which I count myself) will have more of an affinity for historic preservation advocates and what we've been dealing with and striving to accomplish down through the years.

We're for all of Arizona's history and pre-history (archaeology), we're for good architecture and design of whatever style and era, we're for neighborhoods too. Time to get off your Eames and help.

http://www.azcentral.com/blogs/index.ph ... xPluggedin

I'll send you a personal e-mail about who you can contact to get involved.

[nichefindyours]

This is aweful. I love that bank I drive by it almost daily. The last thing this city needs is more stuccoed condos. What can we do to get involved?

[JC]

Please send me the email- Thanks !

[azpreservation]

Walt Lockley has compiled much information and taken great photographs of this building. The Modern Phoenix Neighborhood Network website hosts it all http://www.modernphoenix.net/vnb/henrycamelback.htm

From the air, it's quite cool too: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q= ... iwloc=addr

[retro gigi]

please send me an email- the camelback bank MUST be preserved!!!!!

[mdeoro]

Please send me the email too. I want to do all I can to help preserve the VNB buildings.

Mercedes de Oro
Specializing in Rancho Ventura Haver Homes

[Paul]

Please add me to the list as well.

Thanks.

[PixelPixie]

The list of folks to contact is included on the June 13 posting here:
http://www.modernphoenix.net/phpBB2/vie ... hp?p=14801

[azpreservation]

The Phoenix Neighborhood Coalition is a group of Neighborhood Associations, Homeowners Associations, and Block Watch Groups that are united in an effort to properly develop and preserve the community. At http://www.phoenixneighborhoodcoalition.com/ (best viewed in Explorer), you can sign petitions to:

· Oppose the rezoning of the 44th & Camelback Chase Bank site and preserve the bank.
· Oppose the rezoning of Camelsquare which includes C-2 mid-rise zoning.
· Oppose the rezoning behind the Londen Center which includes the removal of single family residences.

[azpreservation]

http://www.kjzz.org/news/arizona/archiv ... shroombank

[PixelPixie]

Wonderful job, Walt!

[azpreservation]

Preserve a "mushroom" building?
Rob Robb, Arizona Republic, June 25, 2007

I spend quite a bit of time debunking claims that the Phoenix metro area is a backwater.

Interestingly, in the one area in which I don't think there is much of a defense, the claim of provincialism never seems to get made: What we choose to preserve.

The City of Phoenix is spending millions to preserve Tovrea Castle. That is inevitably described as the "wedding cake" building on a hill surrounded by lots of desert east of the airport.

Now there is a move to preserve the bank building on the southeast corner of 44th St. and Camelback. It was called in one recent news report, the "mushroom" bank. It's got a sort of circular shape, featuring a desert-beige exterior wall with rocks randomly sticking out from it.

Neither building is representative of any sort of architectural period in the Valley's history. Neither was the location of historic events.

Instead, they are both just goofy.

If individual owners want to preserve the goofy, so be it. However, there is no reason for public policy to make the mere peculiar immortal.

Online at: http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/94/2033 There's room for reader comment at the bottom of his blog.

[Jason Hill]

Goofy? I'd call it inspired & imaginative!

[JC]

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/RobertRobb/2033

I posted up.
What else was I gonna do at 2:30 A.M.?

[Perimeter]

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/RobertRobb/2033

I posted up.
What else was I gonna do at 2:30 A.M.?

at the tan comment.