(07-02-2021, 10:36 AM)ac3r Wrote: I think that goes to show you that heritage protection needs reworked. The criteria and the people who make the decisions need shaken up a bit. There has to be some new ideas and more solid criteria as to what can permit a building to get designated as heritage.
Not sure if I mentioned it, but when it comes to heritage value — how often do they look at the overall build quality? I know many talk about Preston Spring, Mayfair Hotel, Forsyth Shift Factory, etc., but what we the quality of these buildings? Preston Springs was condemned while it was still in use (as a retirement community). No one wanted to the challenge of fixing up either the Mayfair or Forsyth.
So compared with some builds in the city (lets say the Scotia Bank or CIBC in DTK) vs some other builds, how does it stack up? And how does it stack up to builds in Europe, where a lot of old buildings still exist.
Everyone will always argue over what should be saved. But we should be asking ‘what can be saved’ instead. The community needs to come together, and ask 2 questions: 1) Should it be saved? 2) Can it be saved?
If the answer is yes to bother questions, then designate it. If the answer is “no” to either question, then no designation. And when it comes to question 1, no means no. It doesn’t mean “no, not now, but maybe yes if someone with deep pockets buys it…”