I don't have a scanner so I took a picture of my most recent cartoon:


I have the utmost in fondness for old buildings. I wish we still built them like we used to. Old buildings are, typically, strong, stylish and built from rugged materials that can stand the test of time. Today, we rarely see buildings that are built to last. Rather, we see buildings that are put up as fast as possible for the absolute least amount of money and effort as possible.

And, initially, I was on the side of rehabilitating 13 Cataract Street into the planned restaurant/tasting center that the Genesee Brewery wants. I would hate to see a good, classic building go to waste. However, after reading up on the building and learning that the cost to renovate would exceed the cost to demolish and build new, my opinion changed.

I work in the High Falls area and there's nothing I'd rather see than some life down there. And I think Genesee's idea for adding a restaurant/tasting room is outstanding and would bring people down to what is quite simply the most beautiful part of Rochester. If that means tearing down an old, dilapidated building to accomplish that goal, so be it.

So I'm kind of upset that the preservation board is taking Genesee to the hilt on this and demanding that the old building stay. They are, in fact, demanding that an area in dire need of some revitalization stay blighted so we don't lose this one, unknown-until-now building.

I realize the importance of the preservation board but I would hope that they could realize that preserving an unused building in lieu of starting new businesses Downtown is not a very good way to preserve Rochester as a city.