No Wisdom in Razing Architectural Resource

October 21, 2007

The house at 1028 S. Seventh St. was identified in a report titled, “Architectural Resources of the Aristocracy Hill Neighborhood of Springfield IL,” September 2003, prepared by architectural historians Floyd Mansberger and Chris Stratton. It was an architectural survey commissioned by the Springfield Historic Sites Commission. According to Mansberger, a respected Illinois architectural historian, the Maisenbacher House is undoubtedly eligible for listing in the National Register, as well as obtaining a local Springfield landmark designation. He says it is “one of the finer examples of Italianate houses in Springfield.”

Built in the mid-19th century, it is a rare existing example of this type of housing. Many such homes have already been lost in the neighborhood, leaving many holes and gaps in the Aristocracy Hill. There are plenty of other areas for parking already owned by the clinic. If the argument has been that it’s good to have the clinic near the downtown, then there is no wisdom in demolishing downtown buildings that can provide amenities to its employees and other downtown workers — all of which help contribute to building a vibrant business district.

David Bahlman
President, Landmarks Illinois

Published in the Sunday, October 21, 2007 State Journal-Register Letters to the Editor.
 

Landmarking or Landmocking?
Eroding the Concept of Authenticity
March 2007

Excerpt from Landmarks Illinois and Nation Trust for Historic Preservation March 2007 Op-Ed letter on the Farwell Building: A decade ago, a developer erected a series of fake building facades in Chicago’s River North area to disguise an otherwise banal retail block known as Al Capone’s “Old Chicago.” The theme project didn’t last very long.

For the complete text, Op-ed on Farwell PDF

President’s Message
David Bahlman, president Landmarks Illinois
January 2007

As Landmarks Illinois begins a new year of activity to protect the architectural and historic legacies of this state, we look back at the wide range of approaches that have been used to further our mission. Sometimes it has been simply educating others on the basic preservation tools and incentives that already exist. In other cases, it’s been working in a congenial and cooperative manner with owners, architects and developers. Occasionally, it’s taking a very strong stand against a project employing all means including legal and political strategies to ensure the protection of an important resource.

It is no surprise that the cooperative and collaborative methodology works the best. The staff and the board of Landmarks Illinois represent individuals with consummate professional training and expertise, and it is when these talents come together in consultation with receptive owners and developers that workable solutions are often created.

The sense of satisfaction in being actively involved in a process that saves a building or site is what keeps preservationists plugging away in the midst of the continual losses. The negotiations and creative process that resulted in the preservation of the DuPage and Pickford theatres, the Becker-Segal Estate, the South Water Market, and the Berwyn Bank, stand as examples of how Landmarks Illinois not only advocates for preservation, but works to find viable solutions. (For more information on these issues, go to Current News.)

Countless hours and dollars are contributed by Landmarks Illinois board members, working in concert with the staff, to produce professional studies, reports, and plans that demonstrate to municipalities, individuals and organizations that there are alternatives to demolition.

Being engaged in devising solutions has become a requisite for any preservation organization that wants to claim legitimacy. I am pleased to say that Landmarks Illinois is well-positioned to face another year that promises many successes.

I would like to thank the staff, our members, our board and other donors for their continued support, which has enabled these preservation efforts.

Photos top to bottom: Berwyn National Bank building c. 1920s, Becker-Segal Estate, Highland Park, DuPage Theater rally 2005.
 

Look at the Facts:
It’s Time to Save Cook County Hospital

December 2005

LPCI’s Letter to the Editor (Chicago Journal): Your story about how much it has cost taxpayers to maintain the vacant Cook County Hospital (Dec. 8) was somewhat misleading.

	LPCI’s December 13 Letter to the Editor (Chicago Journal)
	LPCI’s October 2005 Response to Cook County Board
	LPCI April 2003 Letter to the Editor on Cook County Hospital

Photo: Cook County Hospital, Chicago