EMI / Gunnite Gamble
sent February 25, 2006
The Greater Erie Industrial Corporation's CEO, Monica Brower, commented on the impeding demolition of EMI / Gunnite, "Once it is cleared, people will be more interested in making some commitments." This is like hocking your heirloom wedding band to buy a Powerball ticket. Maybe you'll strike it rich - but chances are you'll just end up missing the ring.
Our leaders are ignoring the 1993 Erie County Department of Planning document in which the 13 acres of the EMI / Gunnite complex were identified as "a massive, generally intact 19th century foundry that dominates the 12th Street corridor." The foundry, the one of the oldest in Erie was found to be in "in good condition." EMI / Gunnite was noted as integral to the historic district that includes Erie Forge & Steel, Bucyrus-Erie and the Erie Foundry. In 2004, Tom Leary, an international scholar, further deemed Erie's industrial buildings "world class."
The ongoing characterization of the 12th Street corridor as an "eyesore" by some leaders and news media has encouraged a lack of appreciation for these mighty buildings. Like a self-conscious adolescent determined to find fault, most are unaware that these buildings are 90% occupied. With some maintenance, these structures are something to be proud of - consider the wonderful improvements at the former Bucyrus-Erie on the corner of Weschler and 12th.
Erie's historic industrial architecture provides a sense of history and place that is as unique as Presque Isle. Among some who count themselves as pragmatists there is a sense that these buildings really don't matter - after all they are not pretty cathedrals. But they do matter in measurable ways. These buildings attract historic tourists. They offer space for the creative class - the pioneers in many redevelopment stories. Our leaders in economic development have yet to engage the huge population of filmmakers, craftspeople, musicians, actors, dancers, writers and visual artists here in northwestern Pennsylvania. Our leaders are making irrevocable decisions without the enriching energy and ideas of those outside their disciplines.
In the past, when things were torn down, we traded up. Something architecturally better replaced the previous structure. In the sixties, we started trading down. Many in Erie remember the loss of the Reed Mansion (built in 1868 on 6th St.) and its replacement in 1970 with an uninspiring Triple A building. Whatever new business Monica Brower might drum up to fill the gaping hole left by EMI / Gunnite, I'll bet my Powerball winnings it won't come close to the majesty of what we are losing.
Sincerely,
CIVITAS
Our leaders are ignoring the 1993 Erie County Department of Planning document in which the 13 acres of the EMI / Gunnite complex were identified as "a massive, generally intact 19th century foundry that dominates the 12th Street corridor." The foundry, the one of the oldest in Erie was found to be in "in good condition." EMI / Gunnite was noted as integral to the historic district that includes Erie Forge & Steel, Bucyrus-Erie and the Erie Foundry. In 2004, Tom Leary, an international scholar, further deemed Erie's industrial buildings "world class."
The ongoing characterization of the 12th Street corridor as an "eyesore" by some leaders and news media has encouraged a lack of appreciation for these mighty buildings. Like a self-conscious adolescent determined to find fault, most are unaware that these buildings are 90% occupied. With some maintenance, these structures are something to be proud of - consider the wonderful improvements at the former Bucyrus-Erie on the corner of Weschler and 12th.
Erie's historic industrial architecture provides a sense of history and place that is as unique as Presque Isle. Among some who count themselves as pragmatists there is a sense that these buildings really don't matter - after all they are not pretty cathedrals. But they do matter in measurable ways. These buildings attract historic tourists. They offer space for the creative class - the pioneers in many redevelopment stories. Our leaders in economic development have yet to engage the huge population of filmmakers, craftspeople, musicians, actors, dancers, writers and visual artists here in northwestern Pennsylvania. Our leaders are making irrevocable decisions without the enriching energy and ideas of those outside their disciplines.
In the past, when things were torn down, we traded up. Something architecturally better replaced the previous structure. In the sixties, we started trading down. Many in Erie remember the loss of the Reed Mansion (built in 1868 on 6th St.) and its replacement in 1970 with an uninspiring Triple A building. Whatever new business Monica Brower might drum up to fill the gaping hole left by EMI / Gunnite, I'll bet my Powerball winnings it won't come close to the majesty of what we are losing.
Sincerely,
CIVITAS
