Saving the Rookery?

Editors of Spokesman-Review:

On behalf of the Spokane Chapter of Architects, Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility, I strongly urge the City Council to take any steps necessary to ensure the wise reuse of the historic Rookery Block.

The Rookery Block occupies a significant site regarding the future potential of downtown Spokane. Replacing these historic structures with a surface parking lot would hinder the continued urban growth toward the east end of downtown and the proposed University District—creating a border vacuum within the heart of our city. By contrast, through the adaptive reuse and restoration, the Rookery Block could become vital to the future overall health and sustainability of downtown Spokane.

The loss of these buildings would be detrimental toward a future, vibrant downtown Spokane.

Sincerely,

Juliet Sinisterra, President
Architects Designers Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR)

Bottom-up Community based economy. Link below discusses Irish Economist Richard Douthwaite's theory. Focuses on four aspects of community building:
1) Local Currency; 2) Local Credit Union that invests money in the local economy from money within the local community; 3) Local Renewable Energy Co-ops; and 4) Community-based organic agriculture. Lots of links within the article.

http://blogs.salon.com/0002007/2005/11/10.html#a1335