I urge Mayor John Peyton and the City Council to reject the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission's recommendation that the old Main Library be demolished and replaced by a high-rise condominium.

As a resident of Jacksonville for nearly 30 years, I have never been as saddened by the shortsightedness of an action taken by city leaders. Surely, this redevelopment project need not result in the destruction of a building that has served such an important role for Jacksonville.

Let's not be swayed by those who simply don't respond to the building's design, or those who have opted for its destruction based upon immediate financial gains for the city, or speculation on how important this project -- on this specific site -- will be.

Future generations will look back on the destruction of this unique building as another example of how immediate economic interests obstructed reasonable judgment and led to the destruction of this city's limited architectural heritage.

This building must be preserved and incorporated into the redevelopment of downtown Jacksonville. How is it that we can convert old hotels and buildings into a museum, living spaces and restaurants, yet we are so quick to destroy a building that is architecturally significant and has served such an important social role for the city?

Taylor Hardwick's extremely functional design provides any innovative architect with an exciting challenge to design a new function for this building that will serve the needs of the future while honoring and preserving the past.

I am not suggesting that either of the other proposals be accepted, but that this entire project be readdressed with an insistence that preservation of the building be part of any proposal reviewed by the JEDC, the mayor and the City Council.

PAUL KARABINIS, Jacksonville  (Florida Times-Union 7/25/2005)

Save unique building

More than two years ago, the directors of the Jacksonville Historical Society passed a resolution concerning the future of the old Main Library building.

The society's stand is as resolute today as it was then: The building should be preserved. The recent committee recommendation to allow demolition of the building indicates that the structure was ultimately viewed in terms of its tear-down value.

The city's master plan as codified in the downtown zoning overlay was ignored. However, the mayor and the City Council have the power and the responsibility to rescue this landmark-eligible building.

It is imperative to save our city's mid-20th century history, especially in the irreplaceable style offered by the old Main Library building. It is critical that leaders embrace notable structures that reflect our city's history through time.

The imprint of a distinctive place is vital in a landscape of architectural duplicates and cookie-cutter buildings. We must not miss the opportunity to preserve this unique building and the uniqueness of this special place we all call home.

EMILY R. LISSKA, executive director, Jacksonville Historical Society, Jacksonville  (Florida Times-Union 7/22/2005)

Destruction is insane

Here we go again, allowing the destruction of another part of our history!

The old Main Library building, designed by Taylor Hardwick, is most certainly a downtown icon and should be treated as such.

We have already lost nearly all of our buildings that qualify as architecture. Whether you like its appearance or not, the old library is architecture in the best sense of the meaning of this fine art. Not only will we lose this fine building, but the uniquely beautiful brick artwork created by one of the finest artists, Ann Williams.

Even if this building were not architecture, this decision makes little sense when the value of its imbedded energy is taken into account. If this building were constructed today, its cost would probably be quadruple what it cost when built.

The value of the design; the purchasing of materials; the construction of it, entailing hundreds of workmen; the manufacture of all its materials and systems, electrical and mechanical; and the time on the job of various machines, all add up to a loss when counted.

Today, there is a system of design and construction that is sweeping the nation called "sustainable design." It takes into account how Americans are unwilling to undue our insane acts of total waste of everything we seem to build or buy. The loss of this building is one of the best examples of this insanity.

ROBERT C. BROWARD, architect/ historian, Jacksonville (Florida Times-Union 7/28/2005)

I am a Jacksonville native currently living in Gainesville while studying architecture.

The morning that I read in the Times-Union that the Atkins Group won the bid and that it would be demolishing the existing library my heart sunk.

I will be thoroughly disappointed if Mayor John Peyton allows this decision to come to fruition. Cities have been quick to demolish buildings in the past only to look back and wish that they had just waited a bit longer to weigh the options.

I think that the City Council and the mayor need to do exactly this. The downtown area already has a glut of condos and apartments that are not full of people. There are empty lots dotted throughout the city that could be developed.

Do not get me wrong; I am pro-development, but you cannot always tear everything down that gets in your way. There is an urban fabric that the old Main Library is part of. To destroy it to build what I think is a hideously plain and rather dull condo complex would be a true disaster for the city of Jacksonville.

MICHAEL SCHMIDT

Gainesville (Florida Times-Union 7/27/2005)

Save the old Main Library building

The old Main Library is an irreplaceable building that says volumes about Jacksonville's history. It symbolizes a tumultuous decade and the pivotal changes that took place in Jacksonville during the 1960s.

This building tells the story of our library system, Mayor Haydon Burns and Jacksonville's civil rights movement.

The Haydon Burns Library, as it was named, is an integral part of Jacksonville's architectural time line. It is the middle piece of the puzzle showing how our library system has changed over the past 100 years.

The first public library (1905), the Haydon Burns Library (1965) and the future Main Library (2005) are all within walking distance of each other. Our library system isn't just about books. These three buildings, together, show us the history and success of our library system. This unique picture book of history is very much worth saving.

Burns was mayor of Jacksonville from 1949 till 1964. During his five terms in office, he worked hard to revitalize downtown. He began his career as mayor by cleaning up the downtown waterfront. He secured funds to build City Hall, the Coliseum, Civic Auditorium and baseball park. He convinced the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to move its home office to Jacksonville and worked hard for the growth of the insurance industry.

By 1963, many new businesses called downtown Jacksonville home.

Despite all the growth and development, Jacksonville was known as one of the most segregated cities in America. Downtown was the site of many demonstrations where black citizens picketed in front of stores and took part in lunch counter sit-ins.

The decade started with a bang! On Aug. 27, 1960, the black youths who took part in the lunch counter sit-ins were attacked by a large number of Ku Klux Klan members. The white mob used axe handles, bats, clubs and guns to attack the peaceful demonstrators.

Burns opposed peaceful picketing and demonstrations. He refused to intervene or mediate between black activists and downtown merchants.

Burns, supported by most Southern whites, upheld local segregation laws and took a hard line enforcing law and order. Needless to say, desegregation was slow in Jacksonville. It wasn't until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that local segregation laws were overturned and Jacksonville began to change.

The architectural style of this building symbolizes this change in our city's history.

The mayor and City Council have an obligation to preserve and protect our historic landmarks. Demolition of this building should never have been an option. If finances are so tight, then raise impact fees.

Save the Haydon Burns Library. Vote for Peterbrooke Chocolatier, the sentimental favorite with a multipurpose plan that includes education and historic preservation.

MARIA E. MEDIAVILLA

Jacksonville (Florida Times-Union 8/13/2005)