[Winona Online Democracy]
Hey, Steve...thanks for your thoughts on the courthouse...for reasons
that I do not understand, while the issue is being reported on by
the media, very little grassroots discussion has taken place about
the future of one of Winona's most historic buildings.
I'm admittedly biased...I have been interested in preservation issues
in this community for a long time...but this is a debate that is not
being viewed simply in terms of dollars...first of all, the cheapest
option (restoring the courthouse as it was) is receiving the
least consideration of all by the county board...they apparently
view the accident at the courthouse as an opportunity to
address an issue (space needs) that they were willing to live
with before Labor Day.
All well and good, but the courthouse as an integral part of downtown
Winona must also be considered. Having county employees downtown
Monday through Friday (as well as courthouse customers) is essential to
the economic viability of retail and service businesses downtown.
The courthouse as an integral part of our community's history must
also be considered...Winona is celebrating the 150th anniversary
of the city's founding in 2001...the city was just 37 years old
when the courthouse was built, and that land at Third and Johnson
streets has been the seat of county government ever since we have
had county offices in a single location, since before the civil war.
The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places
for the last thirty years...status it was granted the last time
there was talk of a new courthouse. I realize that there has been
minimal public discussion of tearing the building down this time
around, but isn't it fair to say that county government is the
highest and best use of that building, and that county maintenance
is the best assurance that the building will remain standing for
another hundred years? If it proves difficult to find an adaptive
re-use for the building, benign neglect and lack of routine
maintenance can kill a building just as surely as a wrecking ball.
It was not that long ago, for example, that the future of the
Choate building was very much in doubt.
I understand that county officials and staff may well think that
a new building, with up to date wiring and HVAC systems and more
parking and better lighting and all...that it all sounds very
efficient and appealing...but I believe that the county is
accountable to its citizens for the stewardship of all county
assets, not just the tax dollars collected. That stewardship extends
to the protection of a downtown landmark.
I was at the second annual cemetery walk in Woodlawn today.
Even on a bone chilling weekend like this, hundreds came out to
learn more about our shared history. Winona county residents
are more appreciative of their heritage than ever before. The
courthouse is a natural connection with that history. Our beautiful
Federal Building was lost in the early 1960's to make way for
(my apologies to David B.) the stunningly beautiful Wells-Fargo
main bank building (formerly Norwest).
That was before I was born, so I don't lose sleep over that one...
but I sure don't want to see it happen again, and certainly not
on my watch.
One final note...I am very concerned about the proposal for exit
polling at the November election to gauge public opinion on the
issue...that's not a vote, and it's certainly not good science.
Commissioners have pledged a public dialogue on this issue...a
college student with a clipboard in a dark parking lot (in the
snow?) is no substitute for that dialogue.
The courthouse will be the main topic of discussion for the
city Heritage Preservation Commission, which I chair, when the
group meets on Wednesday, October 11 at 4:00 pm. This is not
a decision that will be made by the city, but it is a decision
that will have tremendous impact on the city. HPC meetings are
always open to the public, and everyone interested is more
than welcome to attend. The HPC meets in the Heritage Room
at City Hall.
Bob Sebo
Steve Kranz wrote:
>
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> Greetings,
>
> Here's a couple of links to newspaper articles about the courthouse issue .
> . .
>
> http://www.winonadailynews.com/local_news/20001005_41court.html
>
> http://www.winonapost.com/10400/1news10400.html
>
> Please feel free to read up and express your opinion, there are certainly
> pros and cons to each side.
>
> To my mind, the decision must be made very carefully. While a new County
> Services Campus might make it easier for the county (and its citizens) to
> conduct business; the historic courthouse is part of what gives Winona its
> unique character and ties it to its past. It is certainly one of the places
> I show guests when they visit our town -- I doubt that a modern county
> building would remain a part of my tour.
>
> The County certainly has an obligation to be fiscally responsible, but how
> do we balance that against retaining those things that we take pride in and
> make up an important part of Winona's character?
>
> -Steve Kranz
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "bobsebo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Steve Kranz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: "Winona Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Friday, October 06, 2000 3:21 PM
> Subject: Re: [Winona] List Activity
>
> > I'd be glad to introduce a discussion topic...how about the courthouse?
> > what should we do with the courthouse?
> >
>
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