Happy
New Year! Albeit, it’s not entirely
happy. You see, Obamites are getting ready to demolish the home in Chicago where
President Ronald Reagan lived at age 4 and had his first memories, about which
he spoke and wrote poignantly, bringing him to the brink of tears at one point. We’re
working intensively behind the scenes: VERY SYMBOLIC if they destroy home; VERY
SYMBOLIC if we save it. We will know if our efforts to save home are succeeding
in next few days.
President
Reagan’s Chicago home was written up as having “Landmark Potential” during
Reagan’s presidency, i.e., May 1986, and two months later was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. Then, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his
Landmarks Commission (including new political appointees inexperienced in
preservation) denied it landmark status—now that President Barack Obama is in
office and his presidential library will in all likelihood be located not far
from Reagan’s Chicago home.
For
more information, see:
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/12/11/historic-home-or-grassy-strip http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2012/12/say-goodbye-to-ronald-reagans-apartment.html
http://maryclairecinema.blogspot.com/2012/12/inspired-by-jackie-kennedy.html
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2011/07/emanuel-appoints-six-to-landmarks-commission-where-are-the-architects.html
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20121026/hyde-park/former-ronald-reagan-home-become-parking-garage
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/3637552-418/reagan-university-president-park-building.html (February 2011, before Reagan birthday centennial.)
And, here's TV report (and, article version) that aired from December 27, day after the demolition and wrecking equipment showed up, that doesn’t tell the full story:
http://maryclairecinema.blogspot.com/2012/12/inspired-by-jackie-kennedy.html
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2011/07/emanuel-appoints-six-to-landmarks-commission-where-are-the-architects.html
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20121026/hyde-park/former-ronald-reagan-home-become-parking-garage
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/3637552-418/reagan-university-president-park-building.html (February 2011, before Reagan birthday centennial.)
And, here's TV report (and, article version) that aired from December 27, day after the demolition and wrecking equipment showed up, that doesn’t tell the full story:
http://www.voanews.com/content/ronald-reagan-home-chicago/1573501.html
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/university-plans-to-demolish-ronald-reagans-chicago-apartment/123
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/university-plans-to-demolish-ronald-reagans-chicago-apartment/123
 |
| Author in front of Reagan Chicago Home, November 30, 2012. Credit: Matthew A. Rarey. |
 |
| Demolition equipment that showed up behind the Reagan home the day after Christmas; one of three back hauls, usually equipped with a shovel, which they retrofit with jaws to pick up debris after boom destroys building, placing it in piles for carting away. |
 |
| Wrecking crane that showed up behind the Reagan home the day after Christmas |
 |
| Reagan home is being readied for demolition, shown here with metal fencing and green cloth, to catch dust produced during the demolition, temporary construction erected mid-December |
If it were an eyesore it might be different, but it is not. It's a surprisingly handsome building for its considerable age. And given its historical significance, the decision to tear it down is tragic. Even pathetic. But then, what else would one expect in a city run by left-wing thugs one step removed from Al Capone?
ReplyDelete