The United Way of Greater Toledo is moving forward with its project to build a new, smaller home on its downtown site.
The agency submitted its site plans yesterday to the city's plan commission.
United Way announced last month the costs of maintaining its existing building - about $400,000 annually - could be better spent in the community. United Way officials have estimated the cost of renovation at over $10 million, and the cost of a new building at about $6 million.
After its new building is complete, the organization intends to demolish its current home at One Stranahan Square.
The agency has been criticized by preservation advocates who want United Way to save the 1969 building.
"No other viable financial solutions [for the structure] have been presented, so we will continue to move forward," Bill Kitson, United Way's president and chief executive officer, said yesterday.
"Nothing has happened to have us change the original plan," he said
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/NEWS16/809230351
This is the same mentality of TPS- tear down good buildings . This is a newer building. I don't buy that is costs 400 k to maintain it . Just like a house, they can close off unused portions. They can convert them to apts. There are options here. To tear down and rebuild is expensive. They can leave and rent an empty building downtown- why do they need a new one ?
Cogitate, does that make sense? There are building and fire codes for public spaces that don't apply to private homes. Closing off spaces just mean that critters have the opportunity to work on the vacant parts. I figure that those who have the property have thought this out, and all the "Johnny come lately's" are just fouling up the works. Of course, they could rent one of those "energy efficient" properties that the fools who bought them would love to rent out. Hopefully, these trustees of our charity contributions have more sense than that.
Were not built with energy conservative methods.
The United Way has stated that there has been ongoing problems with the building, which then raises the question, why were the problems not addressed.
But then again, it is their dime and they have to pay the tab.
It is always fascinating that most school buildings are bricked faced, and knowing that bricks absorb the sun shine and warm up as a consequence, one would wonder why use brick when it absorbs sunshine and generates heat that a cooling system has to now try and cool.