Communities should stress value of cityscape design

Carole Wahler of Bradenton, after reading your letter I had to respond because you mentioned my name.

If you would have followed the letter, you would have seen the part of the sentence which read "to redesign and downsize."

Many would agree with me. We don't need another gas station or a Walmart on SR. 70.

A little history lesson on what a qualified architect is to a growing town. Many are ignorant to history and planning.

Washington is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. President Washington hired Pierre L'Enfant for the grid-and-spoke design and President Filmore hired Andrew Jackson Downing to design the Washington Mall.

Later came Lady Byrd with her beautification program not only for Washington, D.C. but nationwide.

Jacqueline Kennedy was the anchor behind the Historic Preservation Act, She saved Lafayette Square, Grand Central Terminal and, of course, the White House.

Diplomacy under the Nixon administration with Japan and China gave us two cherished gifts: 3,500 cherry blossoms for the Tidal Basin, which millions of visitors enjoy each year, and two pandas. I had to include those pandas. Now, Donald Trump, for following the Historic Preservation Act when he redesigned and saved the Old Post office to become the International Trump Hotel.

People go to Washington, D.C. because of everything I mentioned.

What do I see that Manatee County commissioners are giving to Sarasota and Manatee? Destruction of what was and overbearing and encroachment of what is.

It is not only that RaceTrac gas station, but The Vue, that hideous DDI and now to destroy the wetlands of Braden River.

Yes, Carole, there is a voice who cares. Has reason and intelligence. I am happy you know her name.

Elizabeth M. Sullivan

East Manatee

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Communities should stress value of cityscape design ."