The Columbian has reported that a long-desired overhaul of downtown Main Street, now called “Main Street Promise Project” is about to begin (The Columbian, Aug. 31). The article is filled with nostalgic images, highlighting the history and beauty of Main Street.
Sadly, that dream appears to be dying before it even started. In August, a Portland developer demolished the historic Vancouver Funeral Home, as well as the buildings around it. I, for one, have no desire to see our beautiful Main Street buildings demolished, only to be replaced by Portland-style eyesores. If I had wanted to live in Portland, I could have moved there.
Whoever makes these final decisions, can you be wiser? We are the last of the West Coast cities with any visible history. We can do better than leaving Officers Row and the barracks as our only historic row. Vancouver has a history to be proud of. Main Street deserves to be a historic and beautiful highlight.
