In a message dated 10/1/98 2:53:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

> Here's the part that bothers me the most.  "The Evanston visitor's
>  bureau decided that it did not have the resources" to take over
>  the building, at the news site, as a visitor's center.
>  "'It would be something we would consider down the road, maybe in
>  two years.'"  (quotes from Sun-Times, quoting the bureau's
>  exec.dir.)  Two little and two late.

So for two years they could not wait? Is this a reflection of the short terms
& short term thinking of politicians? This may be taken as a snide comment but
I am serious in asking, is the exec. dir in this case Republican or Democrat?
I'm wondering if there is a corollary between progressive developers and
political affiliation. If there is a predominance of Republicans that like to
tear down old buildings then should we be considering that a downturn in
Democrats in congress would have a negative impact on HP? Considering the
problems the Dems are having with Clinton I'm concerned about the long-term
impact on the preservation industry. Who in government works the most to cut
the NPS budget for building maintenance? With the New Amsterdam Theater &
Disney deal in NYC there was a lull, a deep bulf of press silence, in the
switch from Cuomo (Democrat) to Pataki (Republican) for governor. I think
there were some people with deep pockets holding their breath to see which way
the Pataki administration would turn. I think redevelopment of 42nd Street &
jobs won out and that consideration of HP was a minor consideration.

][<en