Letter of the week, 9/17/07

[Fit 2 Print]

Historic structures
Editor:
When I read the R-J, September 12 article entitled, "Former post office for sale," I was shocked to see the City's (in my opinion) rather sudden interest in historic preservation. Economic Development Director Peggy Brennan was quoted as saying renovations to the old post office will be restricted because the building is listed by the State's Trust for Historic Preservation. Should I be optimistic that the city has turned over a new leaf since demolishing the Legere buildings, despite the CT Trust for Historic Preservation ruling they could not do so?
If the city is taking an interest in historic preservation, why then was it stated in a July 26, R-J article (Mayor gets wide-ranging progress report) that the city is hoping to demolish 66 1/2 East Main Street before the winter sets in? The city has owned that state historic structure for almost ten years! A high Victorian commercial building built in 1890, 66 1/2 East Main was in excellent structural and exterior condition when inventoried for the CT Historic Commission's Historic Resources Inventory in 1978. Why wasn't something done to preserve this state historic structure, as in the way the city gave two Colony Street buildings to developer Paul Edwards on the condition the buildings be restored? Perhaps because the Center City Initiative plans to take down 66, 66 1/2, and 70 East Main Street to widen the corner of Pratt and East Main Street. That will wipe three more state historic buildings in Meriden off the face of the earth!
It will really sadden me if the city gets away with demolishing 66 1/2 Main Street. I hope a convenient slip of the wrecking ball doesn't make it easier for them to acquire and destroy the two surrounding historic structures.
COLLEEN CYR, MERIDEN

[Fit 2 Print]

Collie makes a very valid point. Is there suddenly a renewed interest in preservation in the city?

[kimbie724]

I also think that destroying old buildings in Meriden is a horrible thing if they are structurally sound. It seems to me that some people only think of ONE THING in regards to this and that one thing is "ME"
Forget those of us who grew up with pride in our city. I am out of state now and just was home in Meriden and noticed LOTS of changes to my old city.
I was surprised to see some buildings gone.
Many are torn down for so called Progress. Forget the labor and hard work that went into those beautiful buildings of the past. Now that focus is
how fast can we put up these places? How much money will be made?
If that is progress....... what next?
I think that Meriden has some really nice old buildings and if they are in good condition; why shouldn't they stay?
We need to preserve things for future generations so they can see the work put into these fine buildings from people who took pride in what they did.

[collie]

Today's paper had a front page article on the imminent demolition of the Wilcox Building on Colony Street. The Wilcox building is not only a state historic structure but a national historic building as well. The owner of the building recently got approval from the Meriden Planning Commission to demolish it; he is awaiting a letter from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation before he can move ahead with demolition. The Trust can block the demolition if people complain. I know I emailed them a letter today and alsocontacted a few people who tried to prevent the 2004 demolition of the Legere building, also on Colony Street in a Historic District. I didn't expect the demolition of the Wilcox Building and I hope my contacting the Trust for Historic Preservation. It was nice that someone who loved Meriden and hadn't been here for a while took the time to express disappointment in how many of our beautiful old buildings have disappeared.

[collie]

I guess the answer to your question: "is there a renewed interest in historic preservation by the City of Meriden?" was answered loud and clear by the article about the looming demolition of the Wilcox building! The answer is OF COURSE NOT! Has anyone noticed the bumper sticker placed on the wall of the Wilcox Building that reads "Caruso must go?" I did not put it there and I don't know who did but the apparent reference to City Planner Dominic Caruso is priceless. I hope the City realizes that pipe dreams of downtown becoming an arts center may be reliant on grants from the CT Commission for Arts, Culture, History Film and Tourism, which includes the Trust for Historic Preservation I do believe. For several years all these entities have been working together, recognizing they conceptually and practically must support each other as the fingers on a hand do. The city's vision for an arts center is myopic, to say the least, as historic building after historic building goes down. The two Legere buildings, 116 Springdale Avenue, the East District Schoolhouses on East Main, 16 Washington Street and now the Wilcox Building and 66 1/2 East Main Street. That will be EIGHT in THREE years! Why are not these arts and culture people trying to do something? The Meriden Historic Society, The Augusta Curtis Cultural Center? My cynical answer is they don't care as long as they get the perks and grant money they want for whatever they want to do. What a joke.