By STEPHANIE KIYAK
I was disheartened to learn that the ruling to demolish the church is being applauded by many residents, including the OBSERVER, as a positive direction for the city. The historic buildings throughout the city are one of Dunkirk's biggest assets, and to believe otherwise is shortsighted and misguided.
Is it possible that many residents believe that the beautiful, historic residential and commercial buildings are common in other places throughout the United States?
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The Planning Board in Dunkirk approved the demolition of this site on Aug. 28.
I believe this may be the case - perhaps many people who have lived here all their lives take these beautiful architectural buildings for granted, not realizing that this is what makes western New York so unique.
Continuing to demolish structurally sound historic buildings - and this building was indeed deemed structurally sound by the firm the hospital choose to inspect and report their findings - only to replace them with parking lots or more modern structures takes away the potential for attracting tourism in the future.
All one needs to do is go and visit an area that is known for it's tourism to see for themselves that it is the quaintness of their architecture, coupled with boutiques and cafes, that draws people to walk down their streets and spend their time and money there.
Walking down a central street where there are ample services providing for the local population may be applauded by the local residents, but realize that you are closing a vital avenue to attracting tourism. As long as everyone is happy with that, then another parking lot is a wonderful idea.
Stephanie Kiyak is council member at large in Dunkirk.
