October 2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In matters of historic preservation, this Commission must always defend its opinion on the merits of technology, historic integrity, reasonable expectations, and longevity. The HPC promotes and advocates the preservation of our unique built environment through continued or adaptive reuse. The HPC is not a museum. Accepting a "compromise" to save building relics in -- - —exchange of the premature demolition of that same building is indeed a compromise. of - - - our very mission. Our downtown is chock-full of asphalt compromises like that. I've seen__ many buildings resurrected from a lesser state than to rejoice over preserving Avon rubble. I cannot bring myself to accept any proposal that forces this choice. There is no gain for the HPC in the loss of a building that could have served this community and future generations. If the Avon is to be lost, then, I'm afraid that politics trumped opportunity. I must again ask the Library to reconsider its plan to demolish the Avon and instead, utilize it as a standalone building or integrate it into the new library design. Please. I recommend that the Certificate of Demolition, now under continuance; be denied. The loss of Avon facade is truly an unfortunate prospect. Sometimes the impact of preserving our greater principles outweighs the tragic loss of bricks and mortar. If that means our beloved Avon must perish, then, so be it. Let the Avon be the martyr for the cause. -Tim Klusczinski, President Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County read into record during a meeting of the HPC October 15, 2012