Architects back Gov't Center renovation at forum

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Just a few days short of the two-year anniversary of the closure of the Orange County Government Center, advocates for renovation gathered Tuesday at the Goshen Senior Center to hear architects praise the Government Center design, a vision of famed architect Paul Rudolph's noted Brutalist style. The architect in charge of production for Paul Rudolph, Samuel Liebman, talks about advantages of the center's dense concrete walls.JEFF GOULDING/Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 09/04/13

GOSHEN It's cheaper, quicker and will yield a better result.

That's why five panelists during a forum Tuesday called for preserving rather than replacing the Orange County Government Center. More than 125 people attended the even, hosted by a coalition of groups advocating for renovation.

Much of the night's vitriol was directed at County Executive Ed Diana, who speakers accused of distorting cost estimates and damage assessments in arguing for demolition of the Paul Rudolph-designed building.

"We have reached the point where they are completely out of reasons to built a new building," said retired architect Harvey Berg. "All these years of deception failed."

The Government Center closed two years and three days ago, after the building suffered damage from Hurricane Irene. Legislators voted in February to renovate, but Diana has commissioned designs that include knocking down part of the complex.

Renovation would cost at least $20 million less than replacement, said architect Francis Wickham, and could be totally finished in mere months.

Speakers emphasized the complex's historical significance and asthetically pleasing design, considered a prime example of the brutalist style. "It's a space of invention rather than convention," said architect Joseph Giovannini. "It's a heroic space that gives the public dignity and honor."

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Architects back Gov't Center renovation at forum