Terry Pappas called my attention to well-preserved old signage located under the tin facade at the old Bargain Center building. (click on photo for larger image).

The article discussed a meeting with city government and a “city planning expert”. I found a few quotes interesting and hope you will too. The full article is well worth the read.

He said people love certain cities and towns for the things that make them unique, not the things that make them the same as every other town.

“They don’t go to the edge of the interstate and say, ‘I fell in love with your Taco Bell,’” he said. “When you compete in your community, it’s not just for big industry, it’s for people that move to the community.”

Keeping the community attractive is another reason to focus on emphasizing and complementing historic buildings, Barber said.

“No new construction can replace the character of an older building like that,” he said. “Refurbishing it can make it desirable property for tenants. Preservation is the first rule of smart growth.”
from: Therese Apel, Daily Leader, Feb 27, 2009 “City planner talks smart growth”