As the family of Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. whose life and work centered for so long in The Miami Herald building, we would like to express our appreciation to Becky Matkov and the Dade Heritage Trust for the hard work and effort they put into the request for historical designation for The Miami Herald building.

Though the denial of the designation is likely to result in the destruction of the physical building, it will, however, give us the comforting assurance that neither the building itself nor any facilities that might have been built directly over or otherwise attached to the building would be used for any future gambling pursuits.

That would have been a sad memorial for all that Alvah fought for and believed in. It is our hope and belief that the great spirit of journalistic excellence and civic responsibility that came from this place, and through the individuals who worked there, will remain an inspiration to us all.

Betty B. Chapman, Miami

Dale Chapman Webb, Miami