The 4th Avenue Theater IS SPECIAL.  In a city, a state, with few significant buildings meriting historical status - this is one.   Dick Traini's comment at the Assembly meeting that few would care about this building because our city is so transient is ludicrous - and those who aren't here to endure, aren't likely to vote!  Regardless, as stated by one astute citizen's testimony - people don't come to a city to see slick, new buildings - they want to see the history of a place.   The 4th Ave. Theater is an exquisite example of art deco architecture - it cannot be duplicated.  There are plenty in this city who hold it dear - and plenty more tourists/business persons/etc. visiting our city would also appreciate its character, given the opportunity and fitting presentation.  The Mayor can erect new edifices to stand as a testament to his reign (by taxing bed and breakfast owners (read - widows, single mothers, elderly - people trying to hold on to their homes) at the same tax rate as mega conglomerates - obliterating the viability of little seasonal businesses, which they operate to offset their increasing property tax burden - which threaten to force them out of their "unaffordable" homes.  I digress) - however, no one will ever enjoy the character of those new monuments as much as we, and those who visit, enjoy this "grand dame".  

Hear ye ... sometimes it's not about "numbers", sometimes it's not about "economics" - sometimes it's about character, history, and (for some romantics), a nostalgia...a place which holds time still and reminds us from whence we came, recalls fond memories, and holds a piece of our past almost tangible in its patina walls.  At one time it would have been more economical to melt down the Liberty Bell than to allow an old, cracked, useless heap of copper to sit there on display - why was it saved?  Answer - "historical value" - borne by sentiment and romantic nostalgia.  Imagine if a short sighted Assembly had jurisdiction over the Bell during WWII and "economically" decided to melt it down during a shortage of metals!  

You MUST put this before the voters.  Sometimes. voters will surprise you - they will be smarter, more altruistic, more sentimental, more foresighted than you credit them.  As you witnessed at the Assembly meeting  - people waited over 7 hours to testify.  How many would turn out to circumvent the sale/demolition of any of our public buildings?  Who/how many would really care?  People (read: VOTERS) ARE passionate about this building.  

As a fed up property taxpayer, ready to be an ex-patriot - I support saving the 4th Avenue Theater.  If it's on the ballot, it's the one measure I have no question voting to fund.  If it is saved.... I will frequent this jewel of our city, forsaking new cookie-cutter monstrosities (all built in the middle of downtown with no parking on the most expensive real estate in our city - talk about taking opportunities away from private enterprise!!!).  Oh - here's an idea, which may offset purchasing the Theater - how about creating a city business "center" outside of downtown - purchasing property for public buildings where land is more available, more accessible to the public, cheaper, and people can actually PARK!!!

You at least owe it to us to put it on the ballot.  We are "the people" - you represent US - and you have an obligation to allow us our voice.

Sincerely,

Janelle Martinson

P.S. - Kudos to Mr. Gottstein, who could simply have put this building out on the open market and forgone the machinations of this convoluted process - or simply torn the building down for a more commercially viable property.