Six Practical Reasons to Save Old Buildings (Even if you don't think they look good today)
Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities
I wanted to post this article from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in honor of the Crossman Block, a row of early 1900's commercial buildings in downtown Garland that have defined the east side of the city square since their construction. On March 21, the Garland City Council voted 7-1 to demolish the buildings in favor of more downtown open space. With that decision goes the $428,500 paid to purchase the building 3 years ago, the $88,000 cost for demolition and disposal, and about $517,000 in possible historic tax credits. All into the landfill. About $1 million total value with more than half in taxpayer cash.
About 1910. Like many downtown historic buildings across the country, poorly conceived modifications have removed much of the architectural character of the facade. It just doesn't look this good anymore. But the remainder of the original buildings are still there and historic integrity, like beauty, is more than just skin deep.