Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Old Warrior writes:

"Just in case you haven't heard, Baltimore and its preservation movement will probably lose the following buildings in the remaining eight months of this year:

The Rochambeau Apartments, Charles and Franklin Streets, 1905. A contributing building to a National Register District, and in a Special (preservation) District under the Central Business District Urban Renewal Ordinance.

The Turner-White Building, 509-511 West Lombard Street, 1893. Individually listed on the National Register, received a Baltimore Heritage preservation award in 1976, and is featured in a book on Baltimore cast-iron architecture.

The Saint Stanislaus complex, Aliceanna and Ann Streets, various early dates. In a National Register District.

The Unit Block East Lombard Street, north side, everything except for the Burke's Building, early 20th century. In a National Register District.

And by the way, we've also lost, in this brave new millennium alone:

The Southern Hotel (a City Landmark); 17 Light Street and 109 East Redwood Street (National Register District); Memorial Stadium; the Johnston Building (Individually Listed, National Register); the Broadway School (ditto)...and something called the Odorite Building.

I don't know what the answer to all this is.

But I do know I'm not going to trust anyone who smiles and says Baltimore preservation is in great shape, because if we don't wake up and smell the (bitter) coffee, the answer will never be found."