The Illinois Times
Letter to the Editor
Mayor Langfelder should reconsider his quickly decided plans to demolish the old YWCA building downtown, and he should allow access to the building to all contractors interested in assessing its rehabilitation potential.
The YWCA building, located in the north mansion block which the city now owns, belongs to the citizens of Springfield. The redevelopment process for that block should include a paid and neutral assessment of the building’s potential before the city begins demolition.
The city should encourage developers to consider Y building preservation in their redevelopment plans for the mansion block, and inform them that federal tax credits are available for rehab of historically designated buildings in landmarked areas.
Only after completion and review of all the redevelopment ideas/proposals should the city consider demolishing the Y building if economic and other factors make rehabilitation unfeasible.
Joe McMenamin
Alderman, Ward 7
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 