If proponents of preserving the old Cass County Jail and sheriff's residence can demonstrate it is financially responsible to save the old buildings, then let's save them.
If not, the county should move ahead with the wrecking ball and proceed to use the land for courthouse expansion.
At this point, the case against maintaining the old brownstones is stronger than the argument for keeping them. At this point, the emotion associated with historical preservation is not enough to offset the additional millions of tax dollars it would cost to save the old buildings, rather than build a new courthouse addition. At this point, advocates of preservation have not advanced a serious proposal for funding a rescue of the structures.
The county's analysis of costs shows preservation and retrofitting of the buildings would be far more expensive than razing them and erecting new space. The difference is in the millions of dollars. Who pays?
There are options:
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E Extension of the new jail sales tax to fund saving the old jail and sheriff's house. That likely would take a vote of county residents, and that would be a fair gauge of support for preservation.
E A bond issue proposed by the County Commission which certainly could raise the money, but which would have to be paid back, plus interest, by county taxpayers.
E A private fund drive by preservationists -- an effort that would be a barometer of the support preservation has in the community.
E A special funding bill from the state Legislature, since an argument has been made by the State Historical Society that the buildings have historical significance beyond Cass County. A couple of Fargo legislators want to preserve the old buildings, but have not, to our knowledge, proposed legislation to get help from the state.
Today, local preservationists and members of the State Historial Society will conduct a "walk-through" of the jail and sheriff's house. They should be aware of what they won't see: In the 90-year-old jail, rot deep within the walls, water-damaged basements, abuse that has made parts of the building a health hazard, tons of hidden asbestos. In the sheriff's residence, the reality is that there have been no takers from the private sector for the county's offer to move and save the grand, old house.
Should the historic buildings be saved? Of course. Can they be saved? Thus far, the answer is no.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board
