National group urges WMU to reconsider demolition

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) The Houston Astrodome, one-room schoolhouses in Montana and a lighthouse on the island of Martha's Vineyard all made this year's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Places.

Western Michigan University's historic East Campus did not, according to the Kalamazoo Gazette ( http://bit.ly/10l7VJd ).

But, in a letter to President John Dunn dated June 18, the National Trust for Historic Preservation said it gave serious consideration to adding the four buildings to the list. Questions of timing kept it from a spot, not historic merit, the letter said.

"At the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we seriously considered placing Western Michigan University's historic East Campus on our 'America's 11 Most Endangered List,'" wrote John Hildreth, vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Our understanding that the buildings might be demolished before we go to press made that recognition impossible. However, that does not diminish our concern."

Phase 1 of the demolition isn't due to start until late this summer, according to WMU.

While the list came out June 19, the 11 sites were chosen before the university released its demolition timeline in late May, explained Genell Scheurell, senior field officer in the NTHP's Chicago Field Office.

The letter commended Friends of Historic East Campus, which nominated the buildings for America's Most Endangered Places, for its campaign to find an adaptive reuse for the buildings and said the NTHP "strongly" supports FOHEC's suggestion that WMU delay demolition and convene a community consultation panel to find alternate suggestions for use.

"We hope the university will reconsider its current plans and we will be happy to assist it and the community to come together now to identify how all of East Campus may be returned to productive use," the letter concluded.

The letter to WMU offering NTHP assistance was unusual, but not unique, Scheurell said.

"They are just breathtakingly beautiful buildings and certainly worth saving," said Scheurell. "It wasn't extraordinary, but it's not something we do as a matter of course."

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National group urges WMU to reconsider demolition