To the editors:

I read with interest The Crimson article ("Construction May Endanger Dumbarton Oaks Gardens," News, Jan. 10) regarding Harvard's plan to build an underground library beneath the garden of Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, DC. It was a fairly comprehensive article; however, it failed to make any mention of the fact that an alternative site for such a building exists, within the property holdings of Dumbarton Oaks, which would in no way disrupt the highly cherished garden designed by Beatrix Farrand.

When asked why this site was not considered, the director's answer is that there must be contiguity between the scholars and their sources and that a campus arrangement is unacceptable and would be a "programmatic liability." By arguing that scholars, objects and books must be contiguous, he creates a need for an immediately adjacent library that does not exist. Few scholars worldwide have such an ideal arrangement. And regardless, who wouldn't prefer to walk through a garden to consult their sources in an above ground library with natural light?

Despite assurances that the garden will be restored exactly as it is today, no guarantees can be given. It is false optimism to assume that the North Vista as a roof garden, which is what it will be, can ever have the same character or viability as it does today.

Disturbance to the garden will extend far beyond the footprint of the building as shown on the elegant concept drawings. Furthermore, underground buildings are notoriously high maintenance. We have only to observe the "state-of-the-art" Sackler Museum here in Washington, whose handsome Enid Haupt garden is constantly being dug up to repair leaks to the roof. There are other numerous examples of failed underground buildings.

We do not know whether the Fire Marshal will insist that a wide fire-engine access lane be cut through the garden. He also may require fire exits leading directly into the garden, since the existing drawings now show that the only egress is through tunnels to the main building. These questions cannot be answered until construction drawings are completed.