Due to a glitchy server update, for the time being, 40 South News has lost all content between Tuesday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 1. That’s why the most recent posts (before this one) are dated Jan. 27. New content will be added ASAP.
The good/bad news, is that hopefully that lost content will be recovered, but it could be 24 to 72 hours before that happens. Until that happens, all those links, which are out there on Facebook, Twitter and everywhere else won’t work.
Thanks for your understanding.
“For that to happen, an entity has to step up to the plate with an appropriate use, the necessary investment capital and an implementation plan, and it must happen soon.”
Barry – As always, appreciate your participation here. Regarding Woodside, are we perhaps being too stringent, at the cost of losing this historic house forever? If someone buys Woodside and it takes 5 years to renovate, well, that is better than tearing the thing down. Or if someone buys it, redoes about half, and then goes broke, well, that is better than tearing the thing down. Someone else can step in and gets it half done! The only solutions shouldn’t be a) Tear it Down or b) Fix it Up Majestically.
Along with this, I can think of multiple places around town with projects that are taking years to complete. Half done siding, perpetual ladders in place. How are those properties different?
Lastly, regarding more money being spent, how much would it take to put some glass in the window upstairs? Or even board it up? Can we find 100 bucks in the City budget for that?
Poor you, Doug! What a head ache. I enjoy posting and was glad to see that you were able to re-post my cold weather blog. It is hoped to be helpful – a friend of mine gave me 2 high quality woolen blankets for the shelters animals that I work with but I have decided to take them to the homeless shelters instead, as the shelter animals are already kept in heated buildings.
Good luck with your repairs! – Dorene, sometimes blogger for 40 South news
Thank you for the explanation. Now I understand why some of my comments did not post
Since parts of the Woodside conversation might go missing, I thought that I would comment on the urgency of this situation:
I was president of the Historic Preservation Commission when th permit required to demolish Woodside was denied. I felt then, as I do now that the building has both historical and architectural significance. However, 15 years has passed in which no viable use or owner has emerged and the two story residence is in need of repair and is a liability concern for the City of Maplewood. As a current member of City Council, I would like to see the building renovated. For that to happen, an entity has to step up to the plate with an appropriate use, the necessary investment capital and an implementation plan, and it must happen soon.
I have personally shown the building to prospective buyers on several occasions. I know that the City Manager has shown the building numerous times and has entered into nogotiations more than once that have failed primarily due to the projected cost of repair and remodeling, not because of the asking price. The City would not allow a private property to languish in this state of disrepair and I am of the opinion that it would be unwise to spend any more money on Woodside unless there was some reasonable expectation that building would be purchased and brought up to code, the exterior returned to its historic condition, and the interior renovated into a usable structure.
If Woodside is to be saved, talk will not be enough. Time is running short.
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