[Winona Online Democracy]
Hello all!
I was thinking about these online debates about restoration of old buildings
as I spent time looking at pictures of a friend's recent trip to Europe (a
building from the 1200's and the 150 year old re-furbished farm house in
which she stayed with relatives really impressed me). It seemed that
preserving the old was the norm and I wondered what was so different there
from here? Does anyone have knowledge or experience in this area? How do
they manage this?
My opinion is that the old middle school should be developed into housing
units and the Courthouse should at least be restored to continue to serve as
a Courthouse. It seems that public opinion, in general, supports both of
these outcomes. How can the parties more closely involved work out the
details to achieve this without resorting to force such as eminent domain?
Might it be in the best interest of all involved to share the cost of a
community mediator to assist in the process or is there some other way that
the public could send a message asking for our representatives to resolve
this in a timely manner while considering our best interests (in my opinion
a balance of fiscal responsibility with a vision for the future)?
I'm also noticing a shortage of facts regarding the Metro Plains plan. I
think we need more specific info. from them. If, indeed, they can show they
will be ready to move ahead before the courts and related offices are ready
to move, maybe that's just all a part of the price we pay for the disaster
at the courthouse and chalk it up to having made the best decision at the
time. Hindsight is always 20/20.
That's my 2 cents.
Kathy Seifert
From: "Steve Kranz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Winona Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [Winona] Old Middle School
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 09:07:22 -0600
[Winona Online Democracy]
Greetings,
I'd like to explore this issue of the old middle school a bit more -- in
particular the development today of the county considering the use of
eminent domain to take the building away from the school district and use it
for county offices until they work out their space issues.
You can read more about that issue at:
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/1eminent.php3
As you may be aware, the School Board, County and City held a "summit
meeting" on Monday to discuss how to work together to help the county while
still being able to work towards development of the old middle school into
something that will benefit the county.
You can read more about that at:
http://www.winonapost.com/011701/2news011701.html
I think the meeting was a good example of local governmental units working
together in a constructive way. The meeting demonstrated a genuine spirit
of cooperation and the discussion seemed productive. I'm not sure that the
county's considering the use of eminent domain is in keeping with that
spirit of cooperation.
So here's my questions . . .
1. Do you think the county's considering the use of eminent domain against
another local governmental body has any implications beyond the current
issue?
2. What do you think the county should do to solve its space/courthouse
problem?
3. Are you concerned with what happens to the old middle school (how it is
developed) or do you think the school board should just pass the building on
to someone else (the county or another developer) and let the development
discussion begin again?
4. Do you think Winona has an affordable housing problem that needs to be
addressed and, if so, who should address it?
Feel free to address any or all of these questions.
If you haven't posted to the list before, this would be a great opportunity
to join the discussion!
-Steve Kranz
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