Does Historic Preservation Really Matter?

I mean really, ask yourself, does the preservation of historic structures-buildings, signs, landscaping, towers, canals- how does that matter when the world is burning? When HIV/AIDS still ravages continents, when poverty grips millions, why should anyone care about old buildings, where somethng important may or may not have occurred? Why should people of faith, particularly Christians, give a rip? As I sat on the City of Fresno Historic Preservation Commission tonight, the thoughts crossed my mind- and then, the responses flooded in just as fast- as we reluctantly voted to allow a demolition permit for a 100 year old farmhouse and gazebo, to make room for a daycare center for poor children in a rural neighborhood, I was torn, as were the other commissioners, with the choice-the owner of the property had searched for someone to move the house, but the cost was prohibitive, they had tried to work the house into the scheme of the center, but, still costs were high, they had done their best to find buyers, but, no go- so, we were asked to allow them to eventually demolish the house. A 2 story farmhouse, build of wood and river rock, with shutters decorated with crescents, with panelled ceilings, and staircases of wood, and a handmade porch wall and columns of river rocks, probably from the nearby King's or Merced rivers. It's a house that would cost millions in San Francisco or Los Angeles or San Diego- but, here, on the outskirts of Fresno, there are no takers-so, the wrecking ball will take aim, and a piece of architecture will fall-architecture that once housed families, mom's and dads and kids, and is surrounded by olive trees-probably harvested for oil or the fruit, and a cheerful gazebo, no doubt the site of former tea parties and courting and lazy afternoons in the San Joaquin sun-the house is not that unusual-a 4 square, colonial revival with prairie influence type, of which there are hundreds in the area. But, it IS a house-a house which could house a family, or several, and in these days of shortages of affordable housing, this house will disappear. Those same farm workers, whose children will attend the daycare, could live there-could make a home there. But, the world doesn't work like that-those farm workers will live in substandard apartments or trailers provided by big agriculture conglomerates, like Del Monte or Jolly Green Giant- and they will live in tight quarters, and fall to alchohol, drugs, prostitutes, illiteracy-not because they don't live in a house- but, because they will never be able to OWN a house, to have a place to call their own-a place to settle, to raise their kids-but, NOT in this house- I wonder if a foundation will be left when the house is demolished-will there be a "footprint" left? Will generations down the road point at the site and say "there used to be a beautiful, simple farm house there?" And, it came to a vote tonight- and, I watched my fellow commissioners vote reluctantly-to follow protocal, to adhere to policy, and voted for the demolition. It is no one's fault-the owners and the city tried as best they could- and, still, the only solution was a demolition permit-so, I could not vote--and, I did not vote "nay"-but, rather abstained. Because, somehow, I think that it matters that someone-even someone as ill-informed and stubborn as me, that I never go on record as approving to have something of beauty and grace, such as the old farmhouse-I will never condone it's destruction. I feel like I need to cling to some ideas of beauty and do what I can, in my little universe, to preserve what is left of it. No, it was not a Picasso, or a Moore, or a Rodin, but, it was the handiwork of some proud craftsmen-carpenters, stonesmiths, plumbers, electricians, painters, roofers-it is a house that carries the sweat, and spit, and strength of builders from our past. They built the house to last, and for over 100 years, it has stood- the olive trees surrounding it like a halo. The gazebo laughing in the front yard. And then, the discussion turned to preserving other old buildings in our downtown-and the comment was made that while hundreds of new buildings are approved to be built on the northside of town, that downtown is crumbling- The Penney's building, Gottschalks, Security Bank, Bank of Italy, Hotel Fresno, Trade Center, Hotel Virginia, Helm Building, Guarantee Savings, all proud, stately, beautiful structures-that represented a golden age in Fresno and the San Joaquin valley-but, not, with roofs, columns, and ceilings crumbling-it's as if someone pushed the old buildings into a nasty old nursing home and left them to rot and die-- and they are. Whole new generations of Fresno residents have no idea that there was once a vibrant downtown-they only know it as the place where they have to go for jury duty--or to occasionally view the homeless on G. street-for many, it is a frightening place-regardless of the mass amount of public art on the Fulton mall, or the excellent food at the small cafe's and food carts- they will never know the majestic Art Deco theatres-the Wilson (virtually remodeled out of existence as a church), the Vista, The Mexico, the Hardy, Warnors-With each new strip mall north of Herndon, a nail is placed in the coffin of downtown. There is no revitalization movement like that in Long Beach, or Tampa, or Los Angeles-there is a "we hope someone else cares" attitude--and, a waiting game- waiting for someone else to step in and do something-- the city, a developer, a big box (lord forbid), someones huge influx of $ and energy--- but, wishing and talking don't seem to be making any forward motion-because if talking about downtown revitalization could have made it happen, it would have been vibrant years ago! All the Mindhubbers and Famous postings that call for revitalization-- somehow lack the political clout/energy/desire, and the financial umph to get anything off the ground rather than the occasional rally, concert or cocktail gathering. Revitalization and Renewal in Fresno is going to take a new wave of ideas, some new ways of thinking, and a readiness to discard some OLD ideas, while a reluctance to demolish and discard our old buildings. Fresno has had it backwards for quite a few years- we have demolished our great old buildings, and kept the old ideas- instead of the other way around. "We tried that once and it didn't work.. we've been working on that for years.... someone tried that once....you don't know the history of that...." are the mantras of City Hall, and have made their way to the pulpits of Fresno, as well as L. street and is most evident on G. street and the Fulton mall. Why should I care? I live here. I fell in love with this city. I want to be an agent of change here. I think that caring about old buildings is an indicator of caring about people-the infrastructure-the life of this city. I want to believe in truth-displayed in beauty-whether in buildings, or landscapes, or people- So, I can't vote to demolish the old farmhouse. I just can't.