Post by Tim Collins on Feb 4, 2010 12:59:22 GMT -7
I had the time to attend the meeting last night and I have to say I was very pleased with this decision. Dr. Ainsworth is to be commended for his passion for preserving the history of El Paso in the form of its older buildings.
I was somewhat disturbed though by the limited view of what constitutes "historic" preservation. The focus appears to be buildings tied to famous/important architects, or that once were home to or significant to famous persons. The reality in my view is that a larger focus needs to betaken that includes the meaning some areas have to the residents that preceeded us. If you look at places like Little Italy in NYC or China Town in San Francisco, there is a handful of Historic buildings per the narrow view, but the areas are more so important for the meaning they have in the collective consciousness and memory.
Here in El Paso, I believe Segundo Barrio also has a larger meaning than just how many old buildings are there.
I have heard Segundo Barrio described as "The Ellis Island of the southwest". It was a phrase that resonanted with the historian in me, particularly as my "education" took place in the East - where Ellis Island has strong emotional ties. I would like to see the entire Segundo Barrio designated as a landmark district and revitalized in such a manner that the current residents get to keep their homes and the properties and surrounding public areas reflect the history of a people in the transition from recent immigrants gathering among themselves to moving up economically and moving out to the greater population.
I didn't express that very well, so I hope it is clear that I think the Segundo Barrion is important to our history, and it character and flavor should be preserved, not replaced
Historic school to be preserved
Posted: Feb 4, 2010 09:54 AM MST
Updated: Feb 4, 2010 09:54 AM MST
By ABC-7 Reporter Veronique Masterson
El Paso, Texas - If you look around El Paso you know our city is full of history. It's preserving that history that can be a little trying at times. One concerned viewer wants to make sure part of our history isn't torn down in south El Paso, specifically Alamo Elementary School.
ABC-7 spoke with officials with the El Paso Independent School District and the city's Historic Landmark Commission to see what the future holds for this historic school.
"In my professional opinion, Alamo Elementary School is one of the most compelling and significant structures, not just in Segundo Barrio, but in El Paso," explained Troy Ainsworth, a Historic Preservation Officer for the city's Historic Landmark Commission.
Alamo Elementary School has been on Hills Street in south El Paso for 109 years. The original building now has boarded up windows, there are cracks in the brick and instead of children playing in the playground, transients take cover in the school's doorways.
El Paso Independent School District spokeswoman, Berenice Zubia told ABC-7 "There was asbestos, there was mold, there were the windows that have to be redone, there's some of the façade. There's quite a bit of things that have to be rebuilt and that falls under reconstruction."
While Zubia described what needs to be done to this building, she couldn't say what it will ultimately look like. She did, however, assure us Alamo Elementary School will not be demolished.
"This is a great day for members of Segundo Barrio!" A pleasant surprise for ABC-7 viewer Omar Silva who spoke to the city's Historic Landmark Commission.
"There are few places in El Paso with the kind of history and architectural integrity that you find in neighborhoods in central," he said.
Ainsworth explained, "There are very few 1880s, 1890s, 1900 buildings remaining in El Paso. I do think that this is a neighborhood landmark." Commissioners agreed. In a unanimous decision they voted to begin the process of designating the property a historic overlay to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood.
"After all, this is our city and it's very important that we take care of our heritage," said Ainsworth.
Now the Historic Landmark Commission has to prove why the school is historic.
Zubia told ABC-7 construction is scheduled to begin next year.
I was somewhat disturbed though by the limited view of what constitutes "historic" preservation. The focus appears to be buildings tied to famous/important architects, or that once were home to or significant to famous persons. The reality in my view is that a larger focus needs to betaken that includes the meaning some areas have to the residents that preceeded us. If you look at places like Little Italy in NYC or China Town in San Francisco, there is a handful of Historic buildings per the narrow view, but the areas are more so important for the meaning they have in the collective consciousness and memory.
Here in El Paso, I believe Segundo Barrio also has a larger meaning than just how many old buildings are there.
I have heard Segundo Barrio described as "The Ellis Island of the southwest". It was a phrase that resonanted with the historian in me, particularly as my "education" took place in the East - where Ellis Island has strong emotional ties. I would like to see the entire Segundo Barrio designated as a landmark district and revitalized in such a manner that the current residents get to keep their homes and the properties and surrounding public areas reflect the history of a people in the transition from recent immigrants gathering among themselves to moving up economically and moving out to the greater population.
I didn't express that very well, so I hope it is clear that I think the Segundo Barrion is important to our history, and it character and flavor should be preserved, not replaced
Historic school to be preserved
Posted: Feb 4, 2010 09:54 AM MST
Updated: Feb 4, 2010 09:54 AM MST
By ABC-7 Reporter Veronique Masterson
El Paso, Texas - If you look around El Paso you know our city is full of history. It's preserving that history that can be a little trying at times. One concerned viewer wants to make sure part of our history isn't torn down in south El Paso, specifically Alamo Elementary School.
ABC-7 spoke with officials with the El Paso Independent School District and the city's Historic Landmark Commission to see what the future holds for this historic school.
"In my professional opinion, Alamo Elementary School is one of the most compelling and significant structures, not just in Segundo Barrio, but in El Paso," explained Troy Ainsworth, a Historic Preservation Officer for the city's Historic Landmark Commission.
Alamo Elementary School has been on Hills Street in south El Paso for 109 years. The original building now has boarded up windows, there are cracks in the brick and instead of children playing in the playground, transients take cover in the school's doorways.
El Paso Independent School District spokeswoman, Berenice Zubia told ABC-7 "There was asbestos, there was mold, there were the windows that have to be redone, there's some of the façade. There's quite a bit of things that have to be rebuilt and that falls under reconstruction."
While Zubia described what needs to be done to this building, she couldn't say what it will ultimately look like. She did, however, assure us Alamo Elementary School will not be demolished.
"This is a great day for members of Segundo Barrio!" A pleasant surprise for ABC-7 viewer Omar Silva who spoke to the city's Historic Landmark Commission.
"There are few places in El Paso with the kind of history and architectural integrity that you find in neighborhoods in central," he said.
Ainsworth explained, "There are very few 1880s, 1890s, 1900 buildings remaining in El Paso. I do think that this is a neighborhood landmark." Commissioners agreed. In a unanimous decision they voted to begin the process of designating the property a historic overlay to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood.
"After all, this is our city and it's very important that we take care of our heritage," said Ainsworth.
Now the Historic Landmark Commission has to prove why the school is historic.
Zubia told ABC-7 construction is scheduled to begin next year.