Hugo Dante is the head architect at Cr3ate, a local firm with offices in Tuscumbia...or Florence, depending on the the web source. His futuristic architecture graces cities on both side of the river, while his more traditional designs may be found in everything from pharmacies to mortgage companies to even the UNA campus.
Bid laws don't apply to architectural services in Alabama, and Dante was selected by former Florence mayor Mickey Haddock to design the new animal shelter. When new mayor Steve Holt saw the final plans, he was shocked to find both a gift shop and a sandwich shop tucked among the large lobby and many grooming stations. Holt immediately sent the plans back to Dante for a revision.
Now a similar revision is being required of Dante to plans for the new Anderson Nursing Building at UNA. The university board of trustees president stated in a TD article that he needed Dante, whom he didn't name, to be on the board's side...whatever that might mean. Are they at odds with Dante, whom Marty Abroms called more of an artist than an architect?
We infer there was at best a lack of communication in the UNA planning; as for the Florence animal shelter planning, we may never know what the former mayor instructed Dante to design. There's been no word on how much these little Snafu's are costing the taxpayers.
*****
While on the subject of the new Florence animal shelter, we can understand the purpose of a gift shop, at least a small one. Go to pick out a puppy, stop to purchase a stuffed one as well to commemorate the day. Yet, what was Dante's purpose of a sandwich shop? Surely the process of looking at available animals shouldn't take so long that one is then too hungry to drive a mile or so to a nearby eatery?
Yesterday, we presented some extremely interesting information on elected official Dick Jordan's plans for some of your tax dollars...tax dollars you didn't even know you were on the hook for. Now let's look at Mark Linder's plans...both of them...for university money, some of which involves your tax dollars.
According to TD reports:"Melson
said the University of North Alabama has agreed to use the arena for
basketball games and graduations. The university is moving to NCAA
Division I and needs larger sports facilities, he said."
The article doesn't specify what kind of agreement has been reached. Obviously, the ag center is not yet a done deal and may never be. If it does come to fruition, the university would logically pay a fee to use the facility.
Let's assume the ag center does become reality by May 2020 as Sen. Melson wants, what about Flowers Hall? We're sure the 1970s era gym will be well-used for practice, high school tournaments, etc. Like everyone who cares about UNA, we hope it's well taken care of.
Earlier this month, UNA athletic director Mark Linder announced a massive renovation for Flowers Hall to begin after approval from a state governing body; he didn't give a timeline as to when approval or renovations could be expected. Among Linder's plans for the gym is a new floor. These are needed periodically in all gyms, and apparently UNA is past due for one. The other two renovations proposed by Linder are not quite in the same category. One is, in fact, extremely questionable.
Linder has announced new seating. The current bleachers are original to the gym and obviously need improving. The question is: Do they need a total replacement? We frequently read of bleachers in various local gyms being refinished...or has that sophisticated electronic space age bleacher technology passed the old seating by?
Yet the installation of new bleachers isn't the most questionable item on Sharky Marky's agenda. He wants a VIP reception area for all those bigwigs who are sure to visit UNA basketball and volleyball games. In case you think Mick Jagger might soon show up on campus to catch a local game, Linder is referring to monetary donors. We're aware that UNA does have the stray donor here and there, but they're never mentioned when the university requests more state funding. Perhaps it's just us, but would a donor who really cares about the school want UNA money used for a VIP area in Flowers Hall? And what of the VIP area if scheduled games are moved to the ag center?
Can you all say "poor planning?"
*****
Tuscumbia (or is that Florence?) architect Hugo Dante has had to or will have to redo two plans for taxpayer funded projects this past year. We'll look at these tomorrow.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
