WSLS Survey on the Art Museum

In the words of Pepe, the King Prawn: "It's Over.. Okayyy."

Kinda sad, especially considering in the face of overwhelming public opinion, they're still insisiting on building the damn silly thing. But then again - some of the greatest French buildings were done during the desperation prior to the Revolution.

This could be the new Victory Stadium.

But go right on ahead, no one will be any the worse for it.


The details.

(10.21pm)
Allright, Im sorry. I realize that just because the majority polled do not want the Art Museum does not mean that the poll has not been tampered with, unduly influenced, nuanced, spun, or generally mis-interpreted as a valid result.

Silly me, I must be thinking of the presidential elections.

But seriously, if this is not a clear indicator - I will personally go around town, conducting my own informal, unscientific, nuanced poll and I bet you I get the same results. Most people don't want/don't care/won't go/won't pay for the art museum.

It's a sad day when the will of the people means so little. But the people have longer memories than one might think. And legal recourses. Lets not forget the entire area there is both on the state and national historic registry. There is precedent, oh yes. September 10th is not so far off.

Oh, and I personally, as being someone directly affected by 9/11, find the timing a bit tacky. Considering its supposed to be a day for the nation to unite in patriotisim (and considering how on a Sunday not much gets accomplished here) Satruday would be the appropriate day for such a celebration. But instead, we are going to have the single most devisive issue in Roanoke today. And it is, wether you have noticed it or not.

But boy oh boy - lets hand a award to the city council and the ARB for least input from the general population to affect a decision. We had more warning on Explore Park. The monied minority has spoken, and a crappy looking building we shall have. Or not. Theres still alot of time between now and then.

2007? I do hope the word "quagmire" does not rear its ugly head.

Go ahead and start rushing the construction before you really begin to feel pressure. Cost over-runs, site problems, weather challenges.. Yeah, we will just sit back and laugh.

And in 5 years, if I hit the lottery, I promise to buy the decrepit, unoccupied building and level it. I will recycle what I can into cheap foreign cars - might as well send it back where it came from.

Then I will make Mr. Important Architect a little plaque - highly polished, so he can see what failure looks like.

Oh Im tired allright.. But somehow, I feel better.

I know Im not alone, how about you? How big and important is your crowd? The "Starbucks Elite" could leave Roanoke, and it would not fail. But put those same "Starbucks Elite" in a truly cosmopolitian town, and they would. Little fish, little fish - go try your hand in the big pond.