As promised a while ago, the CBS Sunday Morning program (with the most soothing host on television, Charles Osgood) aired a segment this morning about the demolition of historic buildings and whose priorities prevail in situations pitting preservationists against developers (though we all know those divisions are artificially black-and-white). Downtown leaders Margie Newman and Alan Brunettin spoke out about the loss of the historic building, with many of Alan's still and moving images providing backdrop for the story. On the other side, Steve Stogel and Mark Schnuck talked about the "ripple effect" that will be achieved by the renovation of the Old Post Office. We shall see.

Interestingly, the reason given for the demolition -- the demand of anchor tenants Missouri Court of Appeals and Webster University for adjacent parking -- was not explored, though I suppose that's another show entirely: "How Long Will We Allow 'Development' Centered Around Americans Who Won't Walk Their Lazy Asses Two Blocks?

And this tidbit (though only the first part of the quote was aired) from the National Trust's Richard Moe: "Regrettably, we lost the Century. We fought hard for it, with the city, with the developer, with the tenants of the building, and we lost the argument."

Now, refresh my memory: which part was the fighting hard part? Was it when the National Trust endorsed the demolition of the Century, or when it acquiesced to historic tax credits to do so?

Lesson of the story, from all the examples aired = people, get ready. These fights are just getting started.

Posted under STL in the News by Amanda Doyle on Sun., Aug 21, 2005 at 8:31 AM