HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter and proposal to Regents 01.25.1995January 25, 1995
Mr. John H. Lindsey
Member, Board of Regents
Texas A &M University
College Station, Texas 77844
Dear Mr. Lindsey,
Old Main Society is now developing practical plans for a remnant park to preserve the memory of Law
and Puryear Halls. At the same time, I feel it is wrong to tear down these buildings. They have
witnessed much history, including countless final reviews and parades. Although I am the founder and
president of Old Main Society, I am writing to you today only as a concerned student. The conviction
to write this letter came after our January 23 meeting. Even our faculty advisor, professor Dan -
MacGilvray, has no prior knowledge of this letter. On the eve of the point of no return, I am asking if
you will please consider once more whether or not the demolition of these collegiate halls is in the best
long -term interest of the students and the University. Contemplate point five of the Society for College
and University Planning's statement of principle on campus design (1991): To deny or demean the
campus design legacy is to diminish an institution's vitality- symbolically or actually.
The campus design legacy at Texas A &M is highlighted by The Drill Field, Military Walk, the Old Main
Axis, the Polo Fields, and the Golf Course. These provide a unique and historic setting for the buildings
of Texas A&M. The Drill Field and the historic structures that surround it form an arena that gives us a
sense of pride for our heritage and tradition. The Corps passed in review for Franklin D. Roosevelt
there in 1935. Texas A &M has always bravely answered the call to arms... How many residents in Law
and Puryear since 1928 have given their lives for our country overseas?
Is there any possibility to save these historic dorms? I understand demolition will cost $645,000. Total
asbestos removal and restoration of the fpundation was roughly estimated at $1,200,000. Of course, I
realize thisjust eliminates the liability and safety concerns. This leaves us with the difference of
$555,000 to save these centrally - located dorms. If this amount can be raised or appropriated, work
could start in May to make these dorms safe for habitation. Then, residents of Law and Puryear could
move back in and begin paying rent again. Complete renovation and updating could be phased in over a
period of years while the residents live -in and pay for a structurally sound and safe building.
Perhaps a portion of this $555,000 could be paid for by student fees, much in the same way the Sports
Recreation Center was funded. That would only be $12.86 for each student. In all this math, we still
have not assigned Law and Puryear a value based on their history, aesthetics, and design. I realize this
is difficult to quantify, but one can see that determining a value for the dorms would lessen the impact
of $555,000.
Respectfully,
Greg W 1
Texas A &M University Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
Prairie View A &M University Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Tarleton State University Texas Animal Damage Control Service
Texas A &M University- Kingsville Texas Engineering Experiment Station
Texas A &M University- Corpus Christi Texas Engineering Extension Service
Texas A &M International University Texas Forest Service
West Texas A &M University um Texas Transportation Institute
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
BOARD OF REGENTS
THE TEXAS A &M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
College Station, Texas 77843 -1123
4091845 -9600 4091845 -0835 (fax)
January 31, 1995
Mary Nan West
Chairman
P. a Box 38
Batesville, TX 78829
2101378 -5335
Raul B. Fernandez
Vice Chairman Mr. Gregory W. Keith
P.O. Box 40355 1813 B Potomac Place
San Antonio, TX 78229 -1093
2101690 -9933 College Station, Texas 77840
Alison Brisco Dear Greg:
Texas Commerce Tower
Suite 7330
600 Travis Thank you for your letter. It was a real pleasure to meet
Houston, TX 77002 and talk with you last weekend in College Station. The
7131236 - 2462
input that you gave me and the Board of Regents was extremely
Bill Clayton valuable and it lead to the deferring of the demolition of
Westgate Building Law and Puryear Halls. After the meeting I talked with
Suite 307 General Peel who is head of Facilities and Planning and he is
1122 Colorado
Austin, TX 78701 going to take another look at how we can restore these
5121474 - 1181 buildings.
Gerald J. Ford I was especially proud of your presentation to the Board of
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1350 Regents. My job as a Regent is not always fun, but it is
Dallas, Tx 75201 worthwhile when I can meet and get valuable information from
214871 - 5197 a student like yourself. Thank you for adding so much to our
John H. Lindsey Board of Regents' meeting.
911 Main Street
Suite 625 Very truly yours,
Houston, TX 77002
7131652 -4080 AIL�
T. Michael O'Connor
P.O. Box 1398 On H. Lindsey
Victoria, TX 77902
5121573 -7672
JHL /t
M. Guadalupe L. Rangel
#3 Hewit Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
409845 -9600
Royce E. Wisenbaker
218 N. Broadway
Tyler, TX 75702 -5710
9031593 -2588
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OLD MAIN SOCIETY
January 30, 1995
Class Gift Submission Crew
Proposal to `95 Class Gift Co- Chairs
Kristen Nevius & Matt
OLD MAIN SOCIETY CLASS `95 GIFT SUBMISSION
Museum quality 1910 (November) campus model with any remaining funds going to the Old Main
Endowment. The year 1910 is significant because it is a decade increment, the Interurban Trolley just
began operation, the Mess Hall burns in 1911, Old Main burns in 1912, and two buildings that exist
today, the Analytical Services building and Nagle Hall (Both 1909), will provide a link between today's
campus and the campus of 1910.
OLD MAIN 1875, GATHRIGHT HALL 1876, FIVE PROFESSOR RESIDENCES 1876, DEPOT
1883, PFEUFFER HALL 1887, AUSTIN HALL 1888, ASSEMBLY HALL 1889, PRESIDENT'S
HOME 1891, ROSS HALL 1891, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SHOPS 1892, POWER PLANT
1893, INFIRMARY 1895, MESS HALL 1897, FOSTER HALL 1899, AGRICULTURE &
HORTICULTURE BUILDING 1900, CHEMISTRY & VETERINARY 1902, BAGLEY HALL 1904
VETERINARY HOSPITAL 1908, NEW NATATORIUM 1908, GOODWIN HALL 1908, SHIRLEY
HOTEL 1909, NAGLE HALL 1909, ANALYTICAL SERVICES 1909
These are the original buildings of A &M. The only building that will not be represented is the 1894
Natatorium, which was replaced by the 1908 Natatorium. In addition to buildings, the 1910 campus
model will include the Interurban Trolley, the second bonfire (whoop!), the Quality Row lake, other
campus landscape features, a vintage train at the 1883 depot, and various campus houses, some of
which still exist today in College Station.
BEST LOCATIONS:
Clayton Williams Alunmi Center
Memorial Student Center
Leslie L. Appelt `41 Visitor Center in Rudder
1883 Depot Gallery
Gift will include a pamplet with a short `95 class history and a guide to the model. This pamplet will be
distributed in a box near the model.
I think this will rank among the most important and outstanding gifts here at Texas A &M.
Gregory W. Keith
President, Old Main Society