Standards and Grudges

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There’s one thing that has always bothered me about the Overture Center. I’m not talking about the politics of it or other issues, I’m talking about the building. How much money was spent on constructing that building? I know it was a lot. Even so, somewhere between transferring the idea of the building to actual form, someone made a mistake.

Notice the discoloration and difference in texture? That’s a patch. That patch is there because an air bubble caused a deformation in the facade. It’s important to agitate the pour when filling a complex form, such as the face of the Overture Center, that don’t have a flat surface. This is of course merely cosmetic, but is it a sign that other faults may be present? Are there other bubbles buried inside the stonework, some just below the surface, waiting for the erosion of weather and time to reveal them? I wish I’d taken a picture of the fault when I first noticed it before it was patched. The patch helps hide it, but they could have done a better job matching the color and texture.


And would someone please tell me what is going on with this area at Mifflin and Fairchild? The buildings are empty and ugly. If the area is being redeveloped, someone needs to put up a sign so people passing by don’t think our downtown is turning into Detroit.