Historic buildings needlessly destroyed

While the traumatic event of the flood of 2008 destroyed hundreds of homes, scores of businesses and many neighborhoods, our city's current elected leaders and others in the planning department are scheming to needlessly destroy many historic buildings and intact neighborhoods.

The City Council's foolish act to approve the Physicians' Clinic of Iowa's unreasonable demand to place a medical office building in the middle of a historic street and main artery to downtown is an example. There is widespread dissatisfaction with the inconvenience caused by the closing of Second Avenue at 10th Street SE.

The plans to demolish the First Christian Church on Third Avenue SE and replace it with a PCI parking lot, as well as plans to demolish the solid Public Works building on Sixth Street SW (the former Link Belt Speeder factory) and to spend $29 million for a new city office building and equipment parking garage are additional examples.

Taxpaying citizens must stand up against these foolish acts and demand a halt to the destruction of these landmarks. We are more likely to forget the individuals, religious groups and business leaders who built these beautiful, useful structures and inspired the city's growth.

As a lifelong resident, I've watched one architecturally significant building after the next be destroyed. Let's be sensible and save what gives this city its character and beauty.

Hal Sondrol

Cedar Rapids