Post in Historic Preservation --Is it necessary?

May 08 12:18 UTC

I am all in preserving historical sites around town.  History is part of our
culture, however, before investing hundreds of thousands if not millions
into preserving historic buildings I need to know.
1. what will the building be used for?
2. Is the plan a revitalization plan for a neighborhood for residential to
prevent new suburbs from being built?

My only concern as we look at preservation is that people are suffering
right now in Columbus from evictions, foreclosure, homelessness, inadequate
and unsafe housing etc.  Investing through tax breaks or repair programs
through the city and county make me feel as if we are providing welfare
services to benefit the rich.  Why invest in updating the electricity in one
building on E. Broad street when for the same cost we could update the
electricity in homes a few blocks away that have citizens living in.

I do not know the history of the building and exactly what it will be used
for,(my comments are not directed at the specific address mentioned but
larger philosophical questions) but I have seen in Cleveland a lot of
historical renovations that have taken old run down buildings and turned
into wealthy housing and also into office space that primarily benefits the
upper socio-economic levels when for the same cost, we could have helped a
lot of low-income and moderate income persons improve their housing.

> Hi all, This is my first time posting on the group. I wanted to make everyone
> aware of the imminent demolition scheduled for 1266 E. Broad Street,
otherwise
> known as the Firestone Mansion. This building, is listed as a contributing
> element to the architectural integrity of the E. Broad Street National
> Register Historic District and is one of only two Second Renaissance Revival
> buildings left in the City. Several entities collaborated and tried to work
> with the owner of the property to develop strategies to save the building.
> I've attached a Press Release from the Columbus Landmarks Foundation if
anyone
> wants to read more about it. This leads me to the following question and
topic
> for discussion: Is there more that can be done here in Columbus to help
> instill a feeling of history and hence an obligation to save unique historic
> properties or historic neighborhoods from demise? Do you feel this an
integral
> part of creating an identity for Columbus? Do you feel this is a necessar
>  y step when seeking to create more sustainable neighborhoods? When living in
> New Orleans, my friends bought a house needingrenovation and theyreceived a
> tax break from the City when they updated things like the electrical.Is it
> feasible/possible tooffer incentives like this in Columbus? Though the State,
> MPO, or City level? Canwe engage large corporations/philanthropers to
> understand the benefits of preserving historic properties?Different
viewpoints