When is a historical building NOT? A flashlight tour!

[LEDninja]

When is a historical building not a historical building?

I used to buy stuff from the stores facing the streets in the Lister Block. Then the tenants left and the building was boarded up. The local historical society wanted it named a historical site. The enterprising new owners wanted the city to buy it and make it the new city hall. At taxpayer's expense of course (that's me.).
Then I came across this video from the local newspaper's website:
http://www.thespec.com/videogallery/355823
I do not know how long the video will stay up.

What do you think? Is it worth saving?

FYI a smaller building from the same era located behind the one in the video collapsed a couple of years ago. Luckily it was empty at the time.

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How come those flashlights used by the guide hardly get mentioned in these forums?

 

[Big_Ed]

I always liked old buildings like that. Once they're gone, they're gone. My vote (not that it really counts) is to save it. When was that building last occupied?

 

[LEDninja]

I always liked old buildings like that. Once they're gone, they're gone. My vote (not that it really counts) is to save it. When was that building last occupied?

I can't quite remember. Maybe 5-10 tears ago.

 

[jzmtl]

FYI a smaller building from the same era located behind the one in the video collapsed a couple of years ago. Luckily it was empty at the time.

I'm never a fan of declaring random building historical sites for trivial things happened there, I used to go visit them when I see signs pointing to one on the road but most of them turned out to be crappy place that should've been demolished.

Now that we know it's possibly structurally compromised, blow it. All buildings have a lifespan, and when it's done it's done, unless you are willing to throw boatload of money at it.

 

[ypsifly]

I've seen buildings in worse shape that have been vacant much longer come back from the dead. Look for some before and after shots of the Book Cadillac and Fort Shelby in Detroit.

 

[DonShock]

More power to the new owners if they want to restore it and move in new local business. I'm rather fond of old buildings myself. We have an old stone water tower in our town that I would love to turn into a home if I ever won the lottery.

But trying to get the city to pay for the restoration as a new city hall is a definite no-no! Government is always spending other people's money so it should be as frugal and efficient in spending that money as possible. Restoring old buildings like that is neither. A brand new building would be more efficient. Leave restoration of old buildings to historical societies that solicit private donations for the purpose or to private owners that want something unique and have the extra funds to spend.

 

[jtr1962]

IMO we've moved from one extreme to the other. The event which probably started the whole preservation movement was the demolition of Penn Station in 1963. At the time new was always seen as better, and old as obsolete. There was a great outcry when this beautiful structure of great historical significance was razed. New landmarks preservation laws were passed in order to prevent such a thing from happening again. While I agree on the importance of preserving important parts of our history, it seems as of late practically every old building can attain landmark status if someone is hell bent on it (i.e. "Hey look at this building-Babe Ruth once used the public toilet"). At some point, the majority of old structures have little commercial value, cost more to maintain than they're worth, and prevent something better from being built in their place. I certainly see the value of preserving the most outstanding parts of our past, but not to preserve every little tenement or small office building just because it's old. Exactly what is the significance of that building in the video which leads some to consider it worthy of preservation? I personally don't see anything either inside or out, but then again the video is short of such information so I don't have much to base my opinion on other than its hopelessly dilapidated appearance. At some point both individuals and cities must let go of parts of their past in order to move forward.

 

[ypsifly]

A few years before he was kicked out of office and thrown in jail, the former mayor of Detroit wanted to turn the Michigan Central Station into the new police headquarters: http://www.forgottendetroit.com/mcs/photos.html

The deal went nowhere and a beautiful building continues to rot. If the clowns in City Council were smart they would try to get another casino in there. The upper floors could be a hotel and the old warehouse next door (where a guy was found frozen in 3' of ice over a month ago) could be turned into a parking structure.

Since we're talking old buildings, if any Detroiters are reading this....the Chin Tiki on Cass was demolished last week.:mecry:

 

[UncleFester]

Off topic: Why does that video remind me of that Titanic movie with Kate what's_her_name?

 

[LEDninja]

There are other historical buildings worth preserving. The former public library now a courthouse and the downtown Bank of Montreal which became the temporary home of the library now a nightclub. But these are grand buildings with massive stone block walls and marble floors.

The Lister Block shown on the video is the largest old office building only 1 city block from the main downtown intersection of King & James streets.
I do not think the building was successfully declared a historical site though some people are trying.

Hamilton City Hall is undergoing a major renovation/rebuild which required the workers to move out for a few years.
The new owner offered to let the city
1) Renovate the existing building or
2) Keep the front facade and rebuild the rest of the building or
3) Tear the whole thing down and build from scratch.
They are willing to sign a long term lease if the city makes their building the new city hall.
If the city declares this a downtown urban renewal project the city may be successful in getting provincial and federal money (more of my tax dollars!).
There are too many people with their hands out for 'free' government money.
The city did not go for it. They moved into an almost empty mall across the street. Took over the top 2 floors and the anchor department store.

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I think after the Titanic hit the iceberg the lights went out and people were sloshing around in the dark. In the other shipwreck movie The Posiden Adventure (all of them) the scenes were too well lit.
Lot of going up and down the stairs.
The swimming pool in the video helped.
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Last I heard her new nickname is Kate Wins-A-Lot. Picked up 2 Golden Globes, an Oscar and a whole slew of lesser awards this year.

Off topic: Why does that video remind me of that Titanic movie with Kate what's_her_name?