[Winona Online Democracy]
I''ve been following thr reports of the work being done to update the 10-yr.
plan and have some commentrs that may relate to the implementation of it, or
any such proposal.
Plans are important, not only for prioritizing projects and determining
objectives but to establish realistic goals to work toward and, hopefully
achieve, All of us, however, do
not share the same vision for a future Winona and I want to bring up a case in
point..
I have always loved things from the past, old tools, old implements, old cars,
old customs,old buildings. Many of them provide examples of excellent
craftmanship and
sometimes are examples of architectural works that are rarely seen today. To
demonstrate my changed attitude, especially on buildings, I'm going to use our
former
Lamberton Mansion as an example of a bad act(National Heritage Preservation)
failing to do what it should do, as a minimum and succeeding in doing what it
should
never do.
The Sauer Home would much prefer to spend the money and expense they have tied
up in the Lamberton,on their patients I am sure. Yet they are burdened with
taxes, insurance, maintenance and other costs on a building that is outside of
their field of interest. Obviously, Sauer should not be obligated to carry this
burden.. If not the Sauer Home,hen whom?
This is a large lot in an ideal location close to downtown and would have sold
readily at the asking price without the caveat from Historic Preservation. The
designation
is inappropriate and counter-productive. It is inappropriate because it is
asking a buyer to accept and maintain, without modification an old relic of a
bygone erab to
compete with modern structures.. It is counter-productive because, without the
onus, the lot could accomodate a multi-story apartment building or other
structure that
would generate sorely needed tax revenue. If the city bought the Lamberton, as
is, the taxes would be flowing out, not in.
This town has a lot of old, historic buildings, which brings up the question,
"Do you want to live in the glory of our past or to look forward to.the future?"
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