Durango is fortunate that Francisco’s has the opportunity to reverse the Design Review Board’s ill-conceived decision to require the removal of the historical and beloved awning. The Garcias can go to Durango City Council and ask to keep the awning.

As citizens, we can also ask the council to let them keep the awning. If several hundred of us e-mailed or called the council members they could almost certainly be swayed to allow the awning to stay. Everyone can contact the council, you don’t need to be a Durango resident to do so.

Contact information can be found on the city’s website or email citycouncil@durangogov.org, 375-5005. Greg Hoch, with city planning, would also appreciate your input. Contact him at 375-4850.

I know that emailing is almost old-fashioned by now, so if someone with knowledge and expertise in social media would like to take up this cause on Twitter and Facebook, it would be great! My grandkids haven’t found the time to teach me social media, so I’m stuck with letters to the editor. I’m very impressed with all the letters to the editor written so far on this topic: Keep up the good work!

Peggy Herrera

Durango

Editor’s note: As the Herald reported Saturday, city planning officials and representatives of Francis and Claudine Garcia, owners of the Francisco’s building, came to an agreement last week. With minor modifications to the front of the building, the portico stays.