[Source: Gail Fisher] -- You better hurry and take a last look at the historical Valley National Bank building at Rural Road and Apache Boulevard. On Dec. 28, the Arizona State University Visitor Information Center is vacating the distinctive geodesic domed structure in preparation for the demolition of the building. The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved ASU's request to begin site preparation for the Barrett Honors College and South Campus Academic Village project.
This approval means demolishing the bank building and dismantling the dome for some future reuse on the ASU campus. As required by law, ASU reviewed its plan with the state historical preservation officer. The officer responded that preserving the roof structure and relocating it to another location "are not consistent with the preservation of historical properties, the duties of the agency, and the professional standards which the state historical preservation officer recommends." The officer, unfortunately, has no jurisdiction over the university.
So many in the historical preservation community, and especially in Tempe, have expressed interest in saving the Valley National Bank building - the total building, not just the roof. More than two years ago, ASU asked for developer plans for the site. Developers teamed with architects who studied the site and proposed designs according to university specifications. When the architectural design teams asked about the historical bank already on the property, ASU gave no direction to save it. According to one participating firm, ASU said it wanted to get rid of the whole thing because it was in the way of the new college and academic village. [Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo by Walt Lockley, Modern Phoenix]
The Arizona Preservation Foundation is just one group that is concerned about the improper destruction of this building. The Tempe Historic Preservation Commission, State Historic Preservation Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Modern Phoenix Neighborhood Network all support preserving this building and incorporating it into any future projects.
What you can do
- Contact ASU president Michael Crow and let him know that you want to see other options put forward, not just a quasi-attempt at appeasing preservationist by removing the dome and placing it in storage until the College of Design can come up with a suitable use for it.
- Contact the Board of Regents, which includes the Governor, and ask them to reconsider their vote for the demolition of the building. Ask them to recommend that ASU work within state law and not around it.
- Contact the Arizona Preservation Foundation and ask what else you can do to help. We can be reached by e-mail, phone 602-258-1920, or fax 602-283-4177.
