Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said yesterday that he plans to ask the United Way of Greater Toledo to not demolish its building for at least two to three years to allow a feasible preservation solution to be found.
Bill Kitson, president and chief executive officer of the United Way, said he hasn’t formally received the mayor’s request, and wasn’t sure how the agency would be able to fund keeping the building standing.
“How does this get paid for?” Mr. Kitson asked. “Even a three-year moratorium means three more years of operating costs.”
Last month, the United Way announced plans to build a new, smaller headquarters building, then tear down its current home at One Stranahan Square.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/NEWS16/809090299
He wants them to not touch things. Why would they listen to this lame duck ? He has not even toured the building yet.
Those idiots at the United Way should have kept their mouths shut on their plans. Don't they know how things get done around here ? I say knock the building down and pay the fine later.
Bill Kitson has done a great job at moving this along. The time has come to disregard the know-nothings like Finkbeiner and proceed with demolition and rebuilding.
Toledo council and the mayor are not comfortable leaving the past and moving on into the future. Be that in business or enterprise initiatives. None have business backgrounds but always know what should be done. The mayor and Mr. Block want to preserve the past and avoid the challenges of the future. While he is out saving old buildings businesses are moving to the outlying areas.