Historic Hillyard.com: Editorial

Vol. 2, Issue 23

December 10, 2005

Guest Commentary

Rooked...
by Karen Tuininga

Let's see. The Mohawk will get scalped due to Rookerie. Two historic Spokaloo buildings that have, shamefully, been neglected so long as to create a state of near ruin. Seemingly, conventional wisdom is to pave, park, and forget. I've been appalled by this sort of mind set since the city, irregardless of public opinion, demolished the Spokane train yards to bring in Expo '74... leaving behind a sterile obelisk to commemorate such greatness. I cannot wrap my mind around the almost total disregard of the past for the perceived sake of the future. I often feel that the powers that be at the heart of Spokane just don't really get it.

How unfortunate that yet another block of Spokane history has been up for sale for some time and just nobody could or would step up to any vision before the wrecking ball hit, finally generating public outcry. Now we have as a solution another R.P.S.esque' scenerio and a lot of talk.

The overall tragedy here is not whether more brick and mortar falls. This whole thing is about neglect. I object to the, um... current theory that parking lots and wanna be high rises are the final glass glittery financial answer. Consider the Davenport Hotel and the Fox Theater. Every time a historic building is knocked down a hundred million memories die with it.

This world moves along at such a pace that folks need, more than ever before, that collective memory, that emotional connection, that calm of recognition and belonging. Even pigeon coops have been brought back to a better purpose.
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