The Observation Deck

There is not the collective will to preserve here. I wish it existed, but it does not. We've torn down many of the most meaningful structures here. I have a hard time looking at historic photos of the city because the footnote so often reads, "torn down for the construction of __________________."

Paul Schrimpf wrote:There is not the collective will to preserve here. I wish it existed, but it does not. We've torn down many of the most meaningful structures here. I have a hard time looking at historic photos of the city because the footnote so often reads, "torn down for the construction of __________________."

They like to call it PROGRESS.

Or the latest, moving FORWARD.

Paul Schrimpf wrote:There is not the collective will to preserve here. I wish it existed, but it does not. We've torn down many of the most meaningful structures here. I have a hard time looking at historic photos of the city because the footnote so often reads, "torn down for the construction of __________________."

Paul

Of all the people here, you should know, "you cannot serve two masters."

Look at the historical society, and LHF, LA, LHA, DBLA same names.

How can you be pro-development, and pro-historical?

As you know, from day one this is the hottest topic on the Deck and around the country.

I ran into a member of one of the many committees around town this morning, and we were talking about this development and others around the area.

I asked them the same question we have asked from day one... "What is Lakewood's brand?" Are we a destination city? The best place to raise a family? The city of trees? Just left of the center of the Universe? What are we? Many on council ridiculed this simple thought, of course this is the city where are thoughts are ridiculed. With a top-tier city as we were in the past, though it is falling, you can afford to pick and choose. The prettiest girl at the dance can pick her dance partners. We stood out, good schools, good library, safe neighborhoods, and sense of community. But in 4 short years it seems all squandered and changed, which it is.

I posted a year ago, they have squandered our "cool." They have sold off our history for some magic beans.

As for this lot, the owner went out of his way to work with local groups including historical society. We should be happy he tried, he shared, and will be a good addition to the city.
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Paul and Bridget,

So far, I believe that this sale was legit and I wish the buyer well. I hope he will post pictures here on the Deck for us when he is done. It would be interesting to see how he was able to incorporate the old with the new.

As far as tearing down properties for what the Mayor and council call "progress", I would say I agree with you both.

I agree with you Jim ... I appreciate he did what he could. But there's no consistency to City Hall's approach. What absolutely must be saved? What are the criteria for deciding what must be saved and what is expendable?

As I have said before, we had the opportunity to save the Matthew C Hall House from demolition, a structure built by one of the earliest settlers. And it was allowed to go down. To me that was a watershed ... nothing is really outside the bounds of the wrecking ball in Lakewood.

Remember what Tom George posted recently.

There are many "prominent people" in Lakewood that believe we should tear down and "develop."

How "forward" thinking.

We really need new people on Council, on committees, on boards, and in groups around Lakewood. Otherwise , it will be more of the same - that ridiculous and filthy Marc's Plaza with poorly planned parking, and the coming new monstrosity - the Toby Cosgrove Art Museum, I mean family health center.