Letters to the editor:
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Not Scruffy, Needs Trains

First, I have to agree with your observation that this NOT a scruffy city [Editor's Corner, Nov. 14]. When this comment gained wide circulation in The Wall Street Journal in 1982, I was, and still am, convinced that it was the "revenge of the nerds"; the writings of a cub reporter fresh out of the Vanderbilt journalism school. It is on that level.

Secondly, I am firmly in favor of trans-state train travel. Two things need to be done to justify it, however: 1) discover the efficacy of tunnels to reduce slowdowns; and 2) have train stops in proximity to the major airports. Last summer, we went to Oakland, Calif., and discovered the economies in time and expense of driving to Nashville and taking Southwest Airlines direct to that terminus. I'm sure that if McGhee Tyson were on this route, it wouldn't take too long to get a low-cost carrier interested in serving this town.

Finally, we need to rediscover the Carpool Culture that once dwelt within us. All too often I see underutilized vehicles going along, taking up space and burning up our scarce resource.

Nelson H. Van Wie
Knoxville

Amphitheater Historic?

I am writing in response to Jack Neely's article [Citybeat, Nov. 14] on the proposal to demolish the Tennessee Amphitheatre. I was 14 years old when I attended the 1982 World's Fair, but my memories of the funky amphitheater are from my formative years attending The University of Tennessee. I will never forget the concerts I attended at this ultra-cool venue in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly a raucous summer Drivin' & Cryin' show. Many cities would love to brag of such a modern facility with an acclaimed musical history. Even progressive Nashville lacks such an extraordinary outdoor amphitheater.

Knoxville has had a horrible, albeit improving, track record of preserving its historic buildings. I watched in sadness when the city demolished the U.S. Pavilion & IMAX Theater, a building definitely worthy of saving. Moreover, the qualifications for being listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or being considered "officially historic," include exceptions for modern buildings less than 50 years old. In Memphis, Elvis's 1970s mobile home is listed on the National Register for goodness sakes! Preservationists have already begun discussions of nominating the Sunsphere, an American icon, to the National Register; the Tennessee Amphitheatre surely has a viable case as well, particularly due to its use of cutting-edge technology. Therefore, as an East Tennessee native, I would like to plead with the city to reconsider demolishing this landmark of modern technology and architecture.

In the 1920s, Nashvillians went through this same dilemma: demolish or restore the deteriorating Parthenon from the 1897 Centennial Exposition? Luckily, the city leaders made the wise choice, and today, the Parthenon is a historic landmark known throughout the world and, more importantly, is a point of tremendous civic pride. Knoxville is home to some of the most important modern architecture in the South. Please don't continue to tear it down.

Robbie D. Jones
Nashville