Historic landmarks paying the price in C.R.

In searching for a site for the new city public library, a proposal to tear down the existing landmark buildings that comprise The Gazette editorial offices, the old production facilities, the KCRG-TV9 television studios and offices and the adjacent parking ramps strikes me as absurd and stupid. If you want to revitalize the downtown district, don't tear these buildings down.

I've watched the demolition of one landmark after another from Union Station in 1961 to a more humble but still architecturally interesting and significant building that was the home of Dysart's Candy and more recently our family hardware business until mid-October 2006. Both buildings were over 80 years old and added character to the city.

City Council, open your eyes. Acres of surface parking lots where neighborhoods once stood are near the downtown and would provide adequate sites for the new library. Use those.

You will not raise the attractiveness of Cedar Rapids as an appealing place to work and live by continuing to raze historic buildings and neighborhoods.

Hal Sondrol

Cedar Rapids