Our fine buildings are falling into disrepair

Published 15 Dec 2010 17:30 4 Comments

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I was delighted to hear it announced that the lovely facade at the rear of the Town Buildings - which used to house the police and fire station, is to be preserved.

To be honest, however, I find it breathtaking that it was ever in any doubt.

I also find it remarkable that council offices are to be created in the library, and the library returned to the original building it vacated back in the late sixties at what must be considerable expense.

The obvious place for additional council offices would be behind the preserved facade. I have no doubt, however, that it may now be too expensive to do this.

I don't believe it is not feasible as it has been done in many cities and 'where there is a will there is a way'.

I am afraid it is another example of our district allowing another of its fine buildings to fall into such disrepair as to make it almost impossible to save.

I am sure that the only thing that prevents demolition - the fate that met most of our other fine or historic buildings - is the fact that it is listed.

The only good thing is, it will now be the grandest car park in the country, which no doubt will intrigue visitors, but be yet another legacy my generation, to my eternal shame, has deprived of our grandchildren.

H. MACPHAIL, Union Street, Greenock

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Idoubtit
132 posts
Dec 24, 21:22
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I agree and meanwhile the Municipal Buildings covered walkway is to be destroyed to provide more office space. A beautiful architectural feature lost to the public. The town fathers must be turning in their graves at the mess these philistines are making of this potentially elegant and dignified structure.

Next door in the DWP building, there are empty offices. And what will become of the Customhouse...how many public buildings do the local authorities need? In fact, how many do they inhabit?

A positive of the demise of the Labour Government was it would hopefully halt the obsessive, aggressive and unsympathetic rebuilding projects we've suffered. Whoever is in charge of budgets should take a real look at why all the centuries-old buildings must be replaced by new build. The face of this area has changed beyond recognition over the past 20 years.

And not necessarily for the better. Often people from outwith the region complain of how dark and ugly Greenock was when industrial buildings covered the landscape. When the shipyards were lost, the buildings almost went with it. Apologies to any shipyard worker with emotional connections, but that was good as the majority of the buildings were not aesthetically pleasing. But all kinds of new builds appeared in the form of ugly industrial shipyard/sugarhouse buildings. Unbelievably stupid waste of an opportunity to improve the appearance of the area and make it more attractive to incoming investment. Meanwhile beautiful buildings like the bell tower building opposite Rue End Fire Station could not be converted into a restaurant in case the public exited the proposed restaurant and fell into the dock. Have you ever heard such utter tosh? Particularly when followed by - we're building a new theatre IN the actual dock. (yes, laugh at the assumption that the public have no memory or ability to read between the lines)

As to the facade and the budgets and the lack of funding for the Tall Ships etc etc...other Government departments have actually installed portacabin offices instead of spending public money on building works. That might be a better "plan" for behind the facade as we see the planning department changes its "plans" every six months and funding could easily be pulled for the staff the library is being refitted to house. In fact, why doesn't all public building work stop until we are out of this economic crisis

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Tiddles
1077 posts
Jun 15, 13:39
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It always amazes me that a local authority with a population much reduced from the fifties and divested of many of their large departments like housing etc., should need so much office space. What do they all do?

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myfindhorn
278 posts
Jun 21, 12:33
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Every building in this town looked after by the so called council can be bought for a price and indeed even picked up and deposited ealswhere................now where did the GARVEL HOUSE go ?

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grannysals
3 posts
Sep 14, 20:53
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I was born in Greenock and came to live in Manchester England when I was 6.I have returned many times over the years to visit family once the family started shrinking/relocating I visited less. However this year at the age of 64 looking for a venue for my 65th celebration next year I felt like a stranger I hardly recognised the place and felt very sad I sat in Well park and cried all the family homes had gone Auchendarroch St East Crawford St Bellville St. Maybe it`s for the best i don`t live their anymore so should not sit in judgement but the beautiful town that was lodged deeply in my heart has gone. going doon the toon wiy ma maw into Aldos for an ice cream with Mamie a loved and distant memory the toon is not the one I remember and I won`t be bringing my family to celebrate Love You Greenock always in my heart.Saly Robbie

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