| |
| Click here for a
high-resolution image showing workers emptying labs and offices in the
UW's Center for Urban Horticulture's main hall. The work was in
preparation for demoliton after an arson attack on May 21 destroyed or
damaged years of work aimed at understanding and protecting plantsw and
ecosystems, particularly in urban areas. The attack targeted the office in
the center on the ground floor, where no windows remain. (Photo
credit: Mary Levin, University of Washington) Click here for a fact sheet on the research damaged at the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture. | |
The university and its research efforts "will not be deterred by the ravages of arson or the perpetrators of this tragedy," said UW President Richard L. McCormick. The UW is submitting an emergency request of $5.4 million to the state Legislature to rebuild and repair the hall, get the library re-established and deal with other program recovery costs.
"The most important thing is to ensure that violence is not rewarded," said a statement of condemnation issued today by a dozen Seattle area state legislators. "We will be working to see that the Center for Urban Horticulture is fully rebuilt, that its research program is fully restored, and that we have the laws and resources in place to bring ecoterrorism to a stop."
Engineers have determined that the bulk of Merrill Hall, the center's main building, must be razed. The section added to Merrill Hall that housed, among other things, the library and herbarium will remain but requires extensive repairs. Demolition was scheduled to being the first week of June.
Irrespective of the outcome of the special request to the Legislature, there will be a replacement building, according to Tom Hinckley, center director.
"At the same time, we are asking help from the community to ensure that programs are fully restored and that the building is the best it can be," Hinckley says. The University of Washington has announced the establishment of the Urban Horticulture Recovery Fund, contact:
Linda Kaye, (206) 543-9505
College of Forest
Resources, Box 352100
University of Washington
Seattle WA
98195-2100
###
Review selected articles and opinion pieces:
News
article
"Ecoterrorism:Arson Strikes Research Labs and Tree Farm in
Pacific Northwest"
Science magazine, June 1, 2001
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/292/5522/1622
Op-ed
piece
Researcher Toby Bradshaw's op-ed piece about what happened to
him
"Fire bombs do not contribute to legitimate debate"
Seattle
Post-Intelligencer, May 25, 2001
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/opinion/24580_bradshawop.shtml
Editorial
comment
"Eco-criminals at work to hurt honest science"
Seattle
Times, May 24, 2001
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis/web/vortex/display?slug=fireed24&date=20010524&query=%22ur
ban+horticulture%22
Editorial comment
"Terrorists are not friends
of the Earth"
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 27, 2001
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/opinion/24751_terrored.shtml
News
article
UW scientists fear arson will stifle open dialogue more
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 23, 2001
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/local/24270_scien23.shtml
Editorial
comment
"Out of control: Arson destroys buildings at environmentally
friendly tree farm and UW horticulture program"
Oregonian, Saturday,
May 26, 2001
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/editorials/oregonian/ed_71nan26.frame
Op-ed
piece
U.S. Rep. Geroge Nethercutt's suggestions on what might be
done
"We need the tools to stop attacks on laboratories"
Seattle
Post-Intelligencer, May 27, 2001
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/opinion/24579_nethercutt25.shtml
