Issues & Critics
Eyesore Of The Week
Synopsis:
Kirby continues the City Pulse building criticism section, this time examining fast food restaurant chain structures. The “eyesore” featured – an abandoned Boston Market restaurant in Okemos, Michigan. As he points out, these structures are built specifically for one use, so much so that the layout and exterior design are completely catered (and mass produced) for one specific tenant. While there are examples of some of these buildings being adapted for new uses once the restaurant shuts down, its construction makes it very difficult. As a future-planning model, Kirby looks at the Detroit-based S.S. Kresge Dime Store design book. This particular chair individually-designed its stores to fit within the communities they were located. By designing for the location rather than the tenant, the stores have been adapted very easily.
Preservationists Outraged As Obama Cancels Building Restoration Programs
Synopsis:
President Obama recently announced that he was canceling the “Save America’s Treasures” and “Preserve America” programs, both run by the National Parks Service. The rationale behind these cuts was that the programs “lack rigorous performance metrics and evaluation efforts so the benefits are unclear.” Alter however proposes that not only do the numbers actually show that these two programs are far more efficient than the Stimulus Program, but also that renovation and restoration of are present built assets makes far more sense in this construction-caution age. Data has shown that the two canceled programs actually created 16,012 jobs in their ten years, at a cost of only $13,780 per job. The Stimulus Package however is actually creating jobs at a cost of $248,000 per job. This is very sad news for these two programs that clearly made sense for our times. Jobs created through these programs are true green jobs, focusing development away from greenfields as well as reusing spent energy used previously to construct the buildings. Hopefully President Obama reconsiders these cuts.
Prescott Neighbors Push Back
Synopsis:
Residents of Groton, Massachusetts, are speaking up about what they want to see happen with the old Prescott School. The public meeting on February 6th saw the community asking the town to sidetable plans to convert the building for residential and commercial use and instead keep it as a public asset. While the original discussion was whether to sell it to a private developer or to adapt it for affordable housing, the meeting brought out a new request to have it remain as some type of education center. Any reuse proposal for Prescott will need to go through town meeting, though the Board of Selectmen hope to find a new use so that the building does not go vacant and deteriorate.
Everything is Going to be Alright
Publication Date:
Summer 2008Written By:
Robert and Andrew LinnSource:
Next American CityRead more...
Synopsis:
Detroit seems to be the anti-adaptive reuse city of America. Robert and Andrew Lin paint a picture of a city (and state) willing to tear down all the old building and factories to make way for the “New Detroit.” They claim that many Detroiters see empty buildings as liabilities rather than opportunities, choosing “short-term profits from marginally beneficial new developments…over preserving buildings with immense potential.” The critics of adaptive reuse point to health and safety issues (some buildings may be difficult to bring up to code) as well as funding (banks have a hard time evaluating such projects). The city charges 65% more for an adaptive reuse permit than a demolition permit. The state and city also moved quickly to condemn and demolish a number of historic buildings for Super Bowl XL.
There are supporters of adaptive reuse in the city who see the buildings as representing “the raw material, the building blocks for rebuilding the City.” For many, they have a financial benefit to adaptive reuse, being able to operate much larger businesses due to lower rents. Even illegal “takings” by underground music and arts venues of vacant buildings are passed over by law enforcement. They consider that these “businesses” may be more beneficial than harmful.
Going for Broke
Publication Date:
October 23, 2009Written By:
Anna ScottSource:
Los Angeles Downtown NewsRead more...
Synopsis:
While the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance may have helped spur residential development in downtown LA, the economic downturn has brought a new set of problems. There are currently eight projects in bankruptcy, though these are recently completed or nearing completion. The issue is two-fold: large amount of supply, economic recession.
Eyesore of the Week
Synopsis:
As part of a continuing series, McNamara looks at an ex-gas station in Lansing which he considers an eyesore. The owner of the property would like to reuse the structure but architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn disagrees. Most gas stations are built in such a way that they do not lend themselves to easy adaptive reuse. She suggests that gas stations be developed with an eye to the future, making the property and building easier to reuse if the gas company vacates. Gas stations tend to be in prime locations that mark the urban fabric. Left vacant, it can have a big impact on the community.