Some want to save old Human Services Center structures
Posted: Monday, February 11, 2008
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) -- While the state continues with its plans to tear down some buildings on the old Human Services Center campus, at least two groups say they want to preserve the structures.
Jeff Bloomberg, state Bureau of Administration commissioner, said demolition of the Herreid, Mellette and Ordway buildings is set for this summer. The $1.4 million cost already has been approved, and statutory authority exists to proceed, he said.
He said demolition of eight other structures, including the Meade Building, is expected in 2009 or beyond.
The Yankton County Historical Society is creating a committee to consider whether to use the Meade Building as a new museum site.
And the nonprofit group Preserve South Dakota also has started to look into new uses for the various buildings.
Bloomberg said officials are open to alternatives that are viable and privately funded. Short of that, demolition should not be delayed any longer, he said.
"Frankly, it's a problem that's been ignored because people don't want to deal with it," Bloomberg said. "People have not been able to come up with a solution. It's time that it's addressed because what it leaves is a big mess on that campus, and it's only going to get worse and more expensive to clean up. It's also going to get more dangerous, and somebody is going to get hurt."
Many of the buildings have not had heating and cooling for decades, and some have been fenced off because of falling masonry.
Crystal Mensch, director of the Dakota Territorial Museum, said the Yankton County Historical Society has bought land for a proposed new facility but that members can't ignore the possibilities presented by the Meade Building and its ornate marble staircase.
"The real answer for that is going to mostly come from the kind of support we get from area residents. We just can't hope to succeed without the support of the community. We really hope to see that come through," Mensch said.
Linda Kluthe, executive director of Preserve South Dakota, said she encourages area residents to talk with their state lawmakers and ask for a moratorium on the demolition of what she calls the "castles of South Dakota."
The immense buildings feature Sioux quartz, columns, marble interior features and quality brick, she said.
"If we fail completely in three years, and nothing is going to happen, they can demolish them then. You can demolish a building once, but you can save it many times," she said. "How wonderful it would be if, in the future, most of those buildings had life in them again. We're not trying to tell state government what to do. We're just saying, 'We're your friends, and we would like to do whatever we can to find developers."'
State Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton, is a member of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee and heard presentations on the demolition process. Hunhoff said she'd be reluctant to press for a demolition delay unless a plan for one or all of the buildings is brought forward.
"This is not something that happened overnight. It has been a long-term issue out there," she said. "Now that they're on the listing for demolition, everybody is becoming concerned. I would think there's some opportunity there for redevelopment ... and more power to those people if they can find some private entities to do it."
Jeff Bloomberg, state Bureau of Administration commissioner, said demolition of the Herreid, Mellette and Ordway buildings is set for this summer. The $1.4 million cost already has been approved, and statutory authority exists to proceed, he said.
He said demolition of eight other structures, including the Meade Building, is expected in 2009 or beyond.
The Yankton County Historical Society is creating a committee to consider whether to use the Meade Building as a new museum site.
And the nonprofit group Preserve South Dakota also has started to look into new uses for the various buildings.
Bloomberg said officials are open to alternatives that are viable and privately funded. Short of that, demolition should not be delayed any longer, he said.
"Frankly, it's a problem that's been ignored because people don't want to deal with it," Bloomberg said. "People have not been able to come up with a solution. It's time that it's addressed because what it leaves is a big mess on that campus, and it's only going to get worse and more expensive to clean up. It's also going to get more dangerous, and somebody is going to get hurt."
Many of the buildings have not had heating and cooling for decades, and some have been fenced off because of falling masonry.
Crystal Mensch, director of the Dakota Territorial Museum, said the Yankton County Historical Society has bought land for a proposed new facility but that members can't ignore the possibilities presented by the Meade Building and its ornate marble staircase.
"The real answer for that is going to mostly come from the kind of support we get from area residents. We just can't hope to succeed without the support of the community. We really hope to see that come through," Mensch said.
Linda Kluthe, executive director of Preserve South Dakota, said she encourages area residents to talk with their state lawmakers and ask for a moratorium on the demolition of what she calls the "castles of South Dakota."
The immense buildings feature Sioux quartz, columns, marble interior features and quality brick, she said.
"If we fail completely in three years, and nothing is going to happen, they can demolish them then. You can demolish a building once, but you can save it many times," she said. "How wonderful it would be if, in the future, most of those buildings had life in them again. We're not trying to tell state government what to do. We're just saying, 'We're your friends, and we would like to do whatever we can to find developers."'
State Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton, is a member of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee and heard presentations on the demolition process. Hunhoff said she'd be reluctant to press for a demolition delay unless a plan for one or all of the buildings is brought forward.
"This is not something that happened overnight. It has been a long-term issue out there," she said. "Now that they're on the listing for demolition, everybody is becoming concerned. I would think there's some opportunity there for redevelopment ... and more power to those people if they can find some private entities to do it."
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