Living in a built world

In the distance outside my window, I see the grounds of the fraternity on the corner of Pugh and Beaver with its green lawn and stand of 50 trees.

There is now a proposal to build an eight-story building between me and the lawn.

At that height, it will block the afternoon light to the trees, putting them all in jeopardy.

This is the sole green space between Fraser and Garner. It should not be interfered with in this way.

Consider the riots in Beaver Avenue’s canyon. Might not the absence of nature in this closed built-up space denature society itself, and in part lead to the riots here?

Frank Lloyd Wright, from the prairie, was asked about the built world of New York City. He said — I see only money here — the cash register ringing for the realtor’s rent, no art at all.

We could well say the same here now.

Let us put our foot down. Build this building only five stories high to protect the trees and design it creatively so it is really here, and with it, society is well.

For building built wrong is cancer.

This story was originally published September 24, 2017 at 10:14 PM with the headline "Living in a built world."