Building Design Reflects Badly

On Bank And Sandy Hook

To the Editor:

It seems to me that Newtown Savings Bank deserves and has earned the prominent location of its proposed new branch in Sandy Hook Center. The intentions of their architecture as stated in the president’s letter of August 24 published in The Newtown Bee, August 27, are to reflect the bank’s strength, commitment, and mission, to be true to its name, and to continue its significant responsibility to our community.

The bank’s reputation and civic character are determined by its people, their support, cooperation, and participation in our long-term local economic health. The architecture is their external personality. The present design isn’t fair to either the bank or the village.

The design now represents, in my opinion, a hard, cold, unimaginative, unattractive, out-of-date, a “what were they thinking” mentality. The front entrance is weak and unwelcoming, perhaps in all, a replica of a Depression-era school or factory that other communities might be wishing to tear down or rejuvenate.

The new structure is to replace the original house that is beyond repair, but which reflects more accurately the diverse and historical charms of Sandy Hook; the existing house is a less fortunate fraternal twin to the beautiful brick residence on One Riverside Road across the street, which has successfully transitioned into several business entities.

Surely, sensitive, creative design can accommodate the bank’s expanding needs, get respect the uniqueness of Sandy Hook, and, quite frankly, the uniqueness of Newtown Savings Bank.

(Petitions [protesting the design] are circulating. Call Jean Sander at 203-364-1833 or Nancy Whittemore at 203-304-1533.)

Elizabeth Lincoln

34 Echo Valley Road, Newtown                             September 1, 2010