Sunday, March 01, 2009

"Facadism:"

--in theory

Letter to the editor, Free Press January 30, 2009

"We are increasingly hearing about so-called 'win-win compromise' proposals to redevelop heritage buildings by demolishing the structure, but retaining the façade. The recent proposal of Manitoba Hydro to use the approach of "facadism" to create a high voltage hydro substation and dead zone in the heart of the Exchange District is an alarming example of this dangerous road. Choosing facadism should remain an exception and never considered an easily justifiable practice. It has been declared unacceptable by the City's Historical Buildings Committee as well as various international conservation organizations.


Buildings are much more than facades, and cities more than mere collections of structures. Focusing on individual buildings is piecemeal and short-sighted, and will impoverish the historic flavour of our Exchange District.

Councillor Jenny Gerbasi
Chair, Historical Buildings Committee


--in practise

"Heritage label a surprise," Free Press, March 1, 2009


"[Sport Manitoba has] been working toward a compromise that will still allow for construction of the 29,000-square-foot fieldhouse while at the same time maintaining the facades and other historical features of the warehouse.

"'It's at the conceptual stage and there's still a need for final approvals, but the historical buildings committee is comfortable with what they're bringing forward at this point and there's sort of an approval-in-principle..."

"If there's an understanding in principle and then everything just carries on like that, then there'
s certainly nothing standing in the way there... the final approval still has to happen, but it's going very well.'"


15 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks good.


Since no one can offer ( well almost Nobody ) an acceptable solution

Let facadism save whats left of the crumbling neglected, not always attractive, very very expensive renovation stock of warehouses.

10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To be fair, the Hydro case was completely egregious because it proposed to completely gut a building and turn it into a glorified garage.

In contrast, the Sport Manitoba plan will improve a part of the Exchange District that is underused at the moment by bringing more people into the area.

10:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are those banners again. They should ban those things.

11:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who/what is Sport Manitoba and WHERE did they get the dough to even think about a project like this?

3:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello Province and TIF?

Glad everyone has finally clued in how to get the downtown rolling, big time.

3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TIF yes.

The province just needs to make sure it does not use it as its own special project piggy bank.

Step back and let the planning begining.

Or else, this will be North Portage all over again.

6:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"The province just needs to make sure it does not use it as its own special project piggy bank."

LOL

Why do you think they like the idea in the first place?

7:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Unlike the Exchange District, the Sport for Life facility is closer to the 1960's-style Centennial Centre and not surrounded by historical buildings.

12:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When is the last time you walked around in the area?

Give your head a shake.

12:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anybody have any pictures of what the current Sport Manitoba building replaced on Main street years ago?

12:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Strange how when the economy shrinks the government grows.

3:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder what would happen if all this government spending did not happen.

6:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it would be Winnipeg 1990's all over again.

7:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anybody have any pictures of what the current Sport Manitoba building replaced on Main street years ago?

The Terry Balkan Chev Olds car lot?

9:49 PM  
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3:28 AM  

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