Feb 28, 2016 1 min read

In response to Scott Beveridge’s Feb. 21 article about historic districts, historic preservation is not a cure-all. You can’t save every dilapidated, old building to counter struggling economies in small towns.

Restoration is an admirable philosophy. But how realistic is it to spend a lot of money to retain the original image and gaze upon a building from afar without a productive purpose?

Some buildings may look pretty and evoke nostalgia. But how do you sustain them if they cannot generate income and maintain solvency? Employment goals and economic survival should be the priority.

John Mollenauer

Charleroi

Mollenauer is the former mayor of Charleroi.