Preserve the Orange County Government Center

I am in support of preserving the Orange County Government Center, and believe that restoration and expansion is possible and more economically prudent than tearing down a piece of our architectural history. The building is in perfect structural condition and only needs retro-fitting in order to bring it back to prime operational condition. This retro-fitting is considerably less expensive than demolition and construction of a new building. It is also more environmentally sustainable to work with an existing structure than to demolish and build anew. The building needs new windows, HVAC systems and roof lining, which any 40 year old building would. This is not the result of a poorly constructed building but a poorly maintained one. The building is now a visual landmark and, in my mind, something that makes Orange County special. The classic Penn station was torn down in the name of progress and there are very few people today who believe that was a good decision. A society is not remembered by what it chooses to destroy but what it has the courage and wisdom to preserve. Timothy Hull Warwick