In a message dated 2/13/04 3:10:35 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:Minneapolis is a uniquely terrible city when it comes to preservation and and building re-use. I've lived here only 25 years, and the downtown skyline and large swaths of other areas have dramatically changed. All too often it has been at the expense of historical structures and environments. The real dirty deeds were done earlier, however. Unlike St. Paul, Minneapolis pretty much went on a rampage of demolishing buildings that were more than the decrepit old age of 20 years or so. It was wrong-headed, and penny wise while pound foolish.
they most certainly shouldn't be torn
down. Historical preservation rational aside
I concur. The example of Pratt is a perfect rationale for preservation. Not even including the exemplary test scores cited by a previous poster.
Pratt was closed as a school for many years during which it was a community center and HQ for the Loft among, I'm sure, several other functions. It reverted to it's original use a few years ago when the need arose. It has again served its purpose exceedingly well. Why not save it in case the need arises again?
Ok, the original wing of the place was built in 1898 and I don't know the extent of improvements that have been made in recent years so that might have to be addressed but I'm sure it would be cheaper than razing this building and then having to build another in the near future.
The problem is, it is almost always cheaper to maintain, keep up and renovate an old building than to knock it down and build a new one.
This doesn't even begin to address the effects that continuous destruction of "young" buildings has on the social fabric.
I have a friend who is a native Minneapolitan, born and raised in the Stevens Square and Whittier neighborhoods. He attended three schools on his way to graduation, a grade school, a junior high and a high school. He graduated in the early 80s. None of the school buildings he went to exist anymore. (I think one might have been re-used; the other two were definitely bulldozed.)
The Minneapolis school system may have to close or consolidate some schools due to financial pressures. I don't know enough about their budgets and the costs associated with running school buildings to argue one way or the other.
It is simply stupid to raze buildings because an organization is not any longer using them.
Chris Johnson Fulton President, Carver County Historical Society
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