THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, September 15, 1994           TAG: 9409130156
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS          PAGE: 13   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   54 lines

PANEL CRITICIZES TCC DESIGN COMMISSIONERS SAY SCIENCE BUILDING WOULD NOT BLEND WITH OLDER BUILDINGS.

The Planning Commission has refused to approve the design of a science building for the new Tidewater Community College campus.

``It really looks like a jail,'' said Commissioner Barbara Zoby.

Commissioners Donald L. Williams and Robert Layton offered other descriptions, also uncomplimentary.

``It looks like the Federal Building, but in a different color,'' said Williams, referring to the brick firehouse-red structure on Granby Street.

The proposed color for the science building is a yellowish brick.

Layton said the science building looked too institutional.

He and Commissioner Ewin A. Ottinger complained that it did not blend well with nearby older buildings along downtown Granby Street.

The four-story, 50,500-square-foot science building will be built on Granby Street, just north of College Place.

The Norfolk TCC will be located along downtown Granby Street. Work will begin this winter with the campus expected to open in July 1996.

The library, most classrooms and offices will be in renovated existing buildings, such as the former Smith & Welton department store, old Loew's Theatre and empty Woolworth's.

Last Friday, the Planning Commission approved renovation plans for those buildings.

But the commissioners sent plans for the science building - the only new structure - back to the city's Design Review Committee.

``One building is broke. The others look good. Fix it. Thank you,'' Layton said.

The commissioners said they will discuss their concerns with the Design Review Committee on Monday.

Mary Miller, a senior city planner who staffs the design committee, said architects tried to make the science building blend with its neighbors.

For example, the yellowish brick is a color like that of the Smith & Welton building, she said. Also, the window patterns are similar.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is coordinating development of the Norfolk TCC campus.

Stephen W. Cooper, the redevelopment agency's real estate development director, said he was surprised by the Planning Commission comments.

``Everybody has a right to their opinion,'' Cooper said. ``We'll have to get back with them and try to find out what their specific concerns are and try to fix them.

``I think the people who designed that building would say it fits in architecturally. But we need to get together to see what everybody's thoughts are.'' by CNB