THE PUBLIC MIND: READER SUPPORTS DECISION TO TEAR DOWN FORMER BANK

To the Editor:

I believe that the citizens of Cape Girardeau have a right to understand why the Salvation Army plans to demolish the tired old building it now calls home. There are many services the Salvation Army tries to provide our community, services that the present building is inadequate for.

Granted, the present building is old. But, I, like many others, question its importance to history. Did it once provide a way for slaves to escape, as the courthouse (with its many underground tunnels), once did? No. Does it showcase architecture, as the Glenn House did? No. Was it once owned by our city's founder, Don Louis Lorimier, as the Reynolds' House property once was? No. Let's face facts. It is merely a bank, made simply of brick, concrete, and plaster. Like many other buildings before it, it has served its purpose and now deserves to be laid to rest.

The area of town the Salvation Army is located in is very run down. This is appropriate, since many of the citizens living in this area are the very ones the Salvation Army sets out to assist. The first thing visitors see when coming into our city from across the river is this dilapidated section of town. The new building will stand out as a beautiful enhancement for a rapidly dying section of Cape Girardeau. A new building will add value to neighboring property, not detract. You can't lose what is already gone.

It is childish to argue that tearing down an old building will be a waste of resources. Shall we let all old buildings stand, despite the fact that they are no longer useful, and are possibly dangerous if abandoned? In doing this, we certainly would stop a lot of building materials from filling our landfills. Just think what it would do to our economy! We would have no room for new construction, meaning no more new businesses, new homes, new schools, or new parks. Wouldn't that make the taxpayers happy!

When considering the cost of building a new facility, one must look at the services the Salvation Army will be able to provide. The Army currently provides food, clothing, furniture and much more to the needy. They have youth programs similar to Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts for all children. They provide a Day Camp in the summer to keep kids off the streets. The Salvation Army could do so much more in a new building to benefit our community. Can the Historical Society do this? Maybe the question is would they, not could they. The outcome of these services will far outweigh the costs of building a new facility.

As for Mrs. Dace's comment on how the Salvation Army has kept this building up, I am amazed at the audacity she has in asking this. That is, considering the eyesore that the Historical Society owns on Main Street. If there was ever a building that needed to be torn down, it would be the Reynolds' House. I see this building every day and I must say, it seems to be literally, coming apart at the seams.

The Historical Society should have voiced their opposition over a year ago, when the plans for a new building were first announced. To say that they thought the plan would fail is merely an excuse.

I will agree with these people on only one thing. It would be possible to repair this building, probably like new. It would then be perfect for a bank. The idea behind the new building is to have something suitable to the Army's changing needs. Sometimes the old must make way for the young. I have been in charge of the Salvation Army Day Camp for two years now and am preparing for a third year. I can testify that this building is too cramped, too small, and not well equipped to served the needs of this area's youth. We must cut out many activities the kids would learn from and enjoy because of improper facilities. I invite anyone who doesn't believe this to volunteer to join me and the kids at the Day Camp this summer. But you can't quit when the going gets rough.

Please face facts. A new building would better serve the needs of the young people whose lives the Salvation Army touches. Their lives are far more important than any historical value a building might have.

Lora A. Hanebrink,

Salvation Army Sunday School Teacher

and Day Camp Director