more demolitions

I just reviewed a list sent over from Codes of 20 more potential demolitions for Historical Society input. Every time I go out and look at one of these properties I can usually look around and see two or three vacant abandoned properties nearby. And when you compare Mansfield today to what it looked like 60 years ago, it makes you wonder why people think demolitions are the first step to making things right…we’ve been demolishing houses and buildings for a long time and it never ends. The only improvements that have been made in downtown Mansfield in that time period revolved around restoration and preservation. Demolitions are a necessity, unfortunately, but it's time we looked on them as the drain on money, resources, and tax base that they are instead of as a panacea for improvement. It's time when we sit down to talk about improving the quality of life here, that we talk about ways to prevent abandoned and vacant properties, instead of just cleaning up after our ongoing failure to deal with this.