Thursday, February 03, 2005

McCann lights on again after marathon HDDRC session

The McCann-Erickson building will remain lit for at least another two weeks pending a "field trip" to the building by members of the Historic District & Design Review Commission.

The field trip was one of three decisions made Wednesday night during a marathon two and three-quarter hour discussion of the issue that drew spirited comments from proponents and opponents alike.

Architect Chris Longe (a Buzz editor) defended the lights, calling them "exciting" and "invigorating" and comparing them to the lighting on New York's Chrysler Building and Empire State Building. Former HDDRC member (and strident Anti) Bill Dow compared them to lights in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.

The HDDRC also asked City Attorney Tim Currier for an opinion on whether it has authority over exterior architectural lighting, and voted to allow the lights to stay lit until the field trip. Chairman Keith Deyer and member Marsha Rowbottom voted against both motions. Fellow Anti Jeff Sadowski was absent.