When a person looks at the
“value” of a building such as this Works and Electrical Building behind City
Hall it becomes necessary look beyond the purely monetary value of the
structure. It is also necessary to take into account the historical
significance of this building and then determine in the whole scheme of things
as to whether Cranbrook wishes to preserve and promote its historical past. It
would appear that there are some in Cranbrook who are proud of its history and
are prepared to showcase what we have left to offer.
By conserving and celebrating
these places, we show that we value our community, our past, our future, and
ourselves. How many of us are still bemoaning the fact that Cranbrook lost the
Old Post Office, The YMCA, The Old Government Office and several other
significant buildings which defined our downtown area. We would have lost the
Masonic Hall if a volunteer group had not come forward to promote and work hard
for its preservation.
We are fortunate that there are members of our community
prepared to financially support the preservation and reuse of historic buildings
such as the Masonic Hall, the Cranbrook Photo Building, The Bedroom complex and
Cranbrook Hotel to name a few. There are those who have put money into items
that have formed part of Cranbrook’s history such as the Rotary Clock Tower, The
Cranbrook Arch and Cranbrook Ed. Both of these latter structures were in
Cranbrook for less time than the Works and Electrical Building has been.
Cranbrook Ed was in town only a few hours! We should be grateful for homeowners
on Baker Hill who value historical significance such that they fight to preserve
the structure of their homes and so preserve the ambiance of this area of
Cranbrook.
The Works and Electrical
Building has a very definite historical connection to both City Hall and The Old
Fire Hall. It was built and operated by taxpayers’ funds and was an integral
part of the operation of the City. There are still people living in our city
who worked in this building, or had connections to how it was used, who are
better able than I to tell of its place in the complex operation of city
administration.
As an architectural structure
this building preserves the style of that time period and was certainly built to
compliment both City Hall and Fire Hall. It was built with locally produced
bricks and preserves a style of architecture that is only seen in maybe one
other building in our city.
There is a group willing to
raise the funds and work at preserving and restoring this building at no cost to
the Taxpayers of our city. An engineering study has been completed by the city
which lists those things necessary to bring the building up to code. This study
does include hydro and heating.
What can it be used for? There
are people with imagination who see it could be used as storage for materials
needed for outdoor gatherings in Rotary Park. It could be used by food services
or to house other vendors during summer months. It could be used to compliment
whatever activities the future may hold for the new occupants of the Old Fire
Hall. It could be used to promote the historical visual points of this part of
downtown along with City Hall, the Old Fire Hall and St. Mary’s Church.
Presently it helps provide a good sight line from Rotary Park as we look in that
direction. We have already shown that there are recent structures placed in
Cranbrook purely for their visual appeal. Examples … the Cranbrook Arch,
Cranbrook Ed, The Spirit Tree, Rotary Clock Tower, the fountain at the new fire
hall, the new West Entrance to our City, and the planter in Rotary Park
(actually maybe we should strike this last one as an example of visual appeal!)
I do understand that there are
those who want to see additional commerce or a financial reward for any outlay
of well-earned dollars. I believe that we, as citizens showing that we value
our heritage and are prepared to preserve that which we are able, will show
outsiders that we are a place worth visiting and also a place to call our home.
Let’s give this forward-thinking group of concerned citizens the opportunity to
raise the funds necessary to retain this building and so protect its heritage
significance in your and my community.
Thanks for this space to air my
viewpoint.
Sincerely
submitted
Dave
Humphrey
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