The proposal for a ‘performing arts center’ on the UMF Farmington campus is distressing. Where do I begin? The drawing shown in the papers looks like a two story, big glass box! Were the architects aware of the climate in Farmington ME – as in temperature in the winter – how they gonna heat it?
Were the architects aware of the architectural history and style of the campus – certainly the local planners must have been – did they care – apparently not. The building will stick out like the ‘sore thumb’ it is.
It will be ‘shoe-horned onto a parking lot on campus and positioned so close to other historic buildings a zoning variance is required. What happened to the location behind the Farmington Community Building? Parking is already an issue. The size and configuration are even more controversial. A huge lobby – and only 100 seats for audiences – is this to be a ‘lecture hall’ for ivory tower elites instead of a performing arts center?
I thought the purpose of the project and building was to provide a place to present a meld of college and community arts. I see very little ‘community’ here and a whole lot of ‘college.’ Surely Pres. Kalikow is aware of the ongoing undercurrent of questions concerning the gulf between college and community regarding this project?
The work and planning done to date is – to put it simply – a bust! The project does not appear to involve the community nor does it provide a ‘center’ for the arts.
Craig Schuler
Industry
