Should we tear down our heritage and put up a parking lot?

I was born and brought up in Gainesville. It was, and is, a beautiful place to live, and I am proud of our city.

However, throughout my lifetime I have witnessed time after time bits and pieces of our city sacrificed and vanish to make way for other buildings and parking lots. A prime example is the old Main Street School, which could have been an excellent asset to the Midtown project. It could have easily served this community as a museum, a history center annex or other institution. Instead, it was destroyed and the location became a jail.

Another building removed was the old Royal Theater. It could have been a wonderful downtown location for community theater presentations by local artists and a cultural asset.

Not all of the new structures are eyesores. For instance, the beautiful bank at the corner of Washington and West Academy is an aesthetic asset to our city.

My current concern is the old antique Greater South building located on Maple Street across from the North Georgia Mountain Center parking lot. After speaking with several Gainesville natives, I believe it was the home of Carter Grocery. The building is a survivor of the 1936 tornado. What a shame to raze it and put up a parking lot.

Could the building be put to better use? I think so. I know the city of Gainesville has purchased the facility and I urge the City Council to rethink a better use for this wonderful old building.

Helen Martin
Gainesville