Heritage Preservation is the protection and enhancement of buildings, sites, districts, structures, objects, and significant natural features that connect a community to its past. Cultural and historic assets are a significant part of the heritage, education and economic base of a community. Preserving the community's heritage fosters civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of our past. Protection and enhancement of historic buildings and sites is a necessary component of the social and economic prosperity of a community.
During the past decades, La Crosse, like other cities, lost many buildings of historic and architectural significance. Buildings were destroyed to make room for redevelopment or because it was assumed their usefulness had passed. However, there are buildings and sites still in existence, which reflect our city's aesthetic, architectural, cultural, and economic heritage. These buildings both humble and proud need to be preserved so that La Crosse may continue to display its unique personality. The goals of preservation are to support citizens in their efforts to preserve historic resources, and when necessary, to adapt them to new uses while maintaining and displaying their original character and quality. Preservation not only helps to preserve nonrenewable resources but also serves to remind ourselves, our neighbors, and our visitors of our community's distinctive heritage.
Old places contain valuable information about a community's past. They can tell us where, how, and why people lived. Buildings have much to tell us about lifestyle, culture, religion, construction methods, ethnic origins, economy, technology, needs, and concerns.
Some older buildings are important simply because they're good to look at. They are "a gift to the street" whose style, textures, materials and charm (and maybe even eccentricity) enrich and enliven their surroundings. These buildings are worth saving because our communities would be less interesting and less attractive without them.
Others are worth saving because they have plenty of good use left in them. Innovative examples of what's called "adaptive use" can be found everywhere.
Factories have been turned into convention centers, train stations reborn as restaurants, mills converted into shopping centers, office buildings transformed into apartments, and so on. This process is good for the environment. Think of it as the "Ultimate Recycling." It can be good for the pocketbook as well, since reusing an old building means avoiding the expense of demolition and saving materials and craftsmanship that are costly (or even impossible) to replace today. Typically, it costs no more to renovate and restore than to demolish and build new.
As we allow more and more historic buildings and sites to be destroyed, we lose an authentic link to our past. Buildings are visible and accessible historic artifacts that directly link the past and the present. Saving and interpreting these places is what preservation is all about.
By placing buildings and sites on Local, State, or Federal Registers, an educational process begins that instills in the community an interest in local history and historic preservation and develops pride in their community.
"Heritage Preservation is what can make La Crosse stand out in a sea of suburban nothingness."
-- Larry Kirch, Director of Planning, La Crosse, WI
For more information contact the Planning Department at (608) 789-7512.