Support Building’s Reuse

To the Editor:

I’m writing pertaining to the historic Knesek Building in Fayetteville.

Yes, it’s sad to see it go but what was the alternative? Let it sit until it collapsed? I’m certain the seller was glad to get it off his hands. Why didn’t all the concerned locals, or non-locals, step up to the plate and buy the building? Because it is not a viable investment; there’s not one business that could buy that building and make enough money to make a mortgage payment. Not even close.

And that’s without making improvements, paying taxes and insurance. Fact: Before the building sold, tenants moved in, then immediately moved out, because of the rotted flooring, leaking roof, etc.

Fayetteville is fortunate that someone was willing to make the investment to rebuild the building to replicate the original building. What a blessing. That’s so much better than a rotted falling down building or a huge vacant lot on the town square. Face it: things never stay the same, ever, anywhere, anytime.

Contrary to popular belief, the new owners have removed the interior wood walls, the doors, and the wood flooring, stored them in a warehouse, and will use in the re-construction. The windows were cheap aluminum windows that the previous owner had installed; they were not the original wood windows.

Yes, it’s sad to see the old building go, but it is what it is. So, come on folks, let’s support the efforts of the new owners and their project. That’s the right thing to do.

Dorothy Stall Fayetteville