Historic what?

To the Editor: I’m referring to the Orange County Government Center building and its purported eligibility as a historic site. When I first saw this building 11 years ago, I thought I was dreaming or on another planet. I asked myself who in their right mind could have approved the construction of such a structure completely out of tune and style with the rest of a truly American village? With all due respect to the Paul Rudolph Foundation and their desire to preserve the legacy of this “visionary” architect, I respectfully disagree and believe that this kind of structure deserves nothing less than the demolition ball. To my understanding most of Rudolph’s buildings have physical and/or esthetical problems and some have been demolished already. In 11 years I have found not one person saying they like this building. If this is art, bring it to Miami where Art Deco is more in fashion. It may blend there provided they paint it with some lively pink and lemon colors. Historic designation is a joke, and the $400,000 preservation money is not even enough to repair the leaks and basic maintenance. Ultimately look at where they built this building: in the lowest area of the village with total neglect to flood zone considerations. I say: take this monster down and turn the location into an open and paved area to be used for open markets, recreation, and festivities such as the Great American Weekend. Rebuild the county building somewhere else, perhaps the higher grounds of the adjacent Salesian property where there is plenty of land and it could be built, very economically, on one or two floors, or maybe by renovating and extending, as needed, the existing still-standing old Salesian school brick building. Luca Spensieri Goshen