OPINION: We should mitigate the damage caused by the 4th Avenue Theatre demolition

As the Alaska Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), we again want to express our disappointment and remorse about the ongoing demolition of the 4th Avenue Theatre building in downtown Anchorage. We are following up on the position that we published Aug. 7, soon after the demolition was initiated by Peach Investments.

Our request to stop the demolition was ignored. The demolition has continued, and what’s done is done. So now to the future. There are opportunities to mitigate the damage caused by this demolition.

1. The demolition of the theater building leaves a gaping scar in one of the most central blocks of downtown Anchorage, Block 41. We hope the visual appearance of this scar can be improved before the next tourist season begins and while construction proceeds to completion of the proposed development. There are many ways to accomplish this. In Europe, and in major cities in the U.S. (San Francisco, for example), we have seen false facades of screening that mimic the intentions of the future development of a project being tastefully suspended during construction. Dense landscaping and streetscape along the site could be a desirable temporary amenity. We hope that the developers will show Anchorage respect and voluntarily create an attractive temporary amenity. We are happy to publicly support an appropriate temporary amenity.

Should the developers fail to develop a temporary condition desirable to their immediate neighbors, the downtown business community, and the community at large, we encourage the Municipality and the community to demand the temporary appropriate amenity. Yes, the property belongs to Peach. However, the city of Anchorage belongs to the people of Anchorage. We suggest that the people of Anchorage have a right to expect respectful treatment.

2. We understand that valuable elements of the theater have been professionally evaluated and carefully stored in anticipation of future reuse. We appreciate that, and believe it is important to assure the public that these elements are kept in such a way that their value will be maintained, and that there is a meaningful plan for adaptive re-use in the future as part of the ambitious $200 million-plus development. There are local public entities, such as the Anchorage Museum, which are skilled at historic preservation. This professional skill could be engaged now to assure that some of the rich historic character of this building will be preserved and celebrated long into the future.

As we have stated, we enthusiastically support responsible development that will enhance and add value to our community, attracting and welcoming our visitors and citizens alike. We hope Peach Investments will now transparently show Anchorage what is intended to heal the scar that has been created by the demolition of this icon that was so historically rich in its meaning to us.

We respectfully urge Peach Investments be accountable for their development within the existing urban fabric and livability of downtown by mitigating impact throughout the entire process of development — which began with the demolition of our beloved icon. By next summer, we should not allow the 4th Avenue property to continue showing this unsightly street front of demolition.

Janet M. Matheson, Jeffrey S. Wilson, Thomas W. Livingston, Mike M. Mense, Garrett H. Maupin, Harley H. Hightower, Charles B. Bettisworth, Larry S. Cash and Krista R. Phillips are Alaska Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

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