Why Historic Preservation Districts Should Be a Thing of the Past

[Vinca]

21. I disagree.

We shouldn't "McDonald-ize" our historic cities and towns. There's nothing worse than tearing down a beautiful old building and replacing it with a shiny box identical to the shiny box in the next town. Old buildings can be adapted to new uses on the inside, but leave the exteriors alone. Recently, over in Brattleboro, Vermont, the historic Brooks House - a hotel where Rudyard Kipling was known to stay - had a fire. It encompasses a good chunk of Main St. so tearing it down would be a big deal. The current owner sold it to a foundation that has totally rehabbed it. That includes restoration of the exterior to its former glory and turning the inside into offices, a college facility and I think some apartments. The first floor is store fronts now filled with new businesses.