2009.01.11
Discuss Trejbal's column about Taylor's Frame's & Things
Let Taylor demolish the frame shop
As I pondered the fate of the Taylor's Frames & Things house in Blacksburg, the calendar next to my desk caught my eye. It is this year's Blacksburg calendar, and the theme is historic buildings. If the old white house on Main Street were historic, surely it would be in the calendar. I'm not usually one to cheat on calendars. I only check to see if my birth month got a cool picture. Otherwise, I prefer the small surprise on the third or fourth day of every month when I remember to turn the page. Nevertheless, in the name of research, I started flipping through the calendar in my office. Sure enough. The frame shop adorns July with a church and a church turned taco joint.
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I really like your suggestion of demolishing but salvaging the materials for re-use. I think most of the lumber at Chateau Morisette was reclaimed and that adds such a great touch - maybe they could use those materials toward the renovation of the money pits, oh, I mean, the Black House, etc....
Comment by Deb — January 11, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Apparently, the owner has no financial means whatever to rennovate the property. The likely prospect is that the building will continue to deteriorate, become an eyesore, and eventually just fall down of its own accord. The owner has not been able to sell the property without first demolishing the building on it.
The owner needs financial relief.
All historic buildings in the Blacksburg area will eventually fall down if not properly rennovated or maintained. Absent a business incentive to invest the necessary capital to restore these buidlings, one could argue that they will all fall down.
Let the owner of the Taylor property demolish the building, and sell the property. The town certainly has the means to control what is built on the site after the property is sold.
Comment by Lowell Reardon — January 11, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Having spent many enjoyable hours with the Taylors in their home and business at 103 South Main Street, I almost hate to see the old place go. But on the other hand, I do recall that the old building was in constant need of repair. In his younger years, Mr. Taylor did an admirable job of keeping up with the repair needs of this aging structure, but over time repair needs grew beyond Mr. Taylor's (or anyone's) ability to cope. Any new owner of the present facility would face enormous renovation and maintenance costs - certainly more than the building is worth. Seems to me that a reasonable solution would be to permit new owners to demolish the present structure to make way for a viable and profitable business, the town-taxes of which could help to fund the renovation of other historic Blacksburg sites long-awaiting funding. Let the old place go!
Comment by Wayne Coleman — January 11, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
"I'm not usually one to cheat on calendars. I only check to see if my birth month got a cool picture." I thought I was the only one who did that.
Anyway, it is such a tough and sad case. From what I gather, there are a couple of people interested in the site already, but I do not know the kind of business.
Comment by Lisa — January 12, 2009 @ 9:53 am
I agree. It is time to let the Taylor House go before it becomes more of an eyesore. The Main Street Inn just down the street has been an excellent addition to South Main. We need to make sure that the new building and business that replaces the Taylor house is a good addition, not another tanning salon. Now, will someone please address that bank building on the corner of Main and Roanoke Streets? That could be a beautiful building right in the heart of the downtown area. Now, it is just a mess.
Comment by Rich Rio — January 12, 2009 @ 10:44 am
I am alarmed that the town is willing to detrimentally burden one homeowner for the benefit of the whole town. If the townspeople want to enjoy it, then let them take part in paying for it. I find the preservation of history to be tasteful only when beneficial to those concerned. I would prefer another beautiful new building like the Blacksburg Inn and Kent Square, paid for not by taxes, but by a real buyer.
Comment by Kimberly Bears — January 13, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
The Town has gone to great lengths to pass all manner of restrictions on what they will allow to be built within the town limits, so it's not hard to fathom that they would likewise decide what people can and can't do with their own property. It's like a town-wise Homeowners Association. I really despise HOA's, glad I don't have them. Architectural Review Boards are probably the worst though. Quasi-governmental organizations run by people with ego/power-trips. The simple fact that a HOA or ARB could jail someone if they don;t get approval for a different house color or because someone wants to replace an old roof is mind-blowing. The fact that the Town is telling the Taylors that they either have to bring the house up to code or endure another year with it on the market before they can demolish is sad. It's their house, and it's not like a Wal-Mart could squeeze onto that lot for crying out loud.
Comment by Other John — January 14, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
Tear it down. Heck, tear down that eyesore the Lyric to boot and any other "Historical" building in Blacksburg. History, who needs it, especially in these economic times? Put in a Walmart downtown, that will revive the downtown. . . .
Comment by Fernando — January 15, 2009 @ 11:49 am