I am writing to express the Art Deco Society of Virginia’s (ADSVA) support for the preservation of the former Richmond Community Hospital building located on Overbrook Road on the Virginia Union University campus.
In addition to the important place in Richmond’s Black history this structure holds, not to mention the fondness many hold for the medical facility that cared for their families when others would not, the building contains Art Deco architectural elements which puts the structure in good company among Richmond’s inventory of Art Deco buildings, such as the Central National Bank building, Thomas Jefferson High School, VCU’s West Hospital, and the Hippodrome Theatre.
Part of the mission of the ADSVA is to preserve and celebrate the Commonwealth’s Art Deco architecture. It is fairly easy to demolish a building. However, it is near impossible to retain or even regain the loss of the aura, the reverence, the place in the hearts of many that hold that building dear.
It would be a shame to lose yet another piece of Richmond’s and Virginia’s rich history. The ADSVA is calling on VUU, its VUU Board of Trustees, and the Steinbridge Group to reconsider demolition of the Richmond Community Hospital building and to work with the local community to preserve and reuse it as part of the housing development project.
Sincerely,
Andy Nishida
President, Art Deco Society of Virginia