This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Letter to the Editor: We Are What We Build Part 2

Jhennifer Amundson's letter to the editor opposing the Lexington Club development will be run in two parts due to length. Amundson is a professor of architecture and architectural history at Judson University.

Read the first part of the letter:

It is past time to say no to this flawed proposal. No is an option; no has a proud history in St. Charles. In 1937, a proposal to build a new post office was encouraged (as the general idea of residential development on the Applied Composites site has been); but the design sent from Washington was met with immediate rejection (as the specific design by the developer has been). The community at large refused the simple, economical box designed by an architect in a federal office hundreds of miles away because it would detract from the visual quality of the city.  Community leaders stepped forward: Mayor Ival Langum and citizens E. J. Baker and Lester Norris told the feds no, and arranged for the project that was constructed, and still stands, on Second Street: the beautiful Neo-Classical building that, even when the post office facility moved, was deemed valuable to preserve, and now houses a business (Doc Morgan). The building is a memorial to civic engagement and strong leadership that was willing to say no to a bad idea and worked to make sure a good idea was raised in its place.

At some point the voice of the city must, finally, say no to Lexington Club. No to a development that will flood an already bloated housing stock, no to houses that are cheap and boring, no to a development that will be physically segregated from the rest of the city, no to architecture that will fail to contribute to the character of the city. When the parcel of land is developed, it must be done in a way that enhances, not diminishes, the city. It is the City Council that has the power and voice to do so, to act in the stead of the people who have trusted them with their offices, and vote, not only for the current situation in mind, but also on behalf of the heritage of the city.

One might say of a city that we are what we build. The diverse and interesting buildings of St. Charles express the many ages and characters of this special place.  The values of Lexington are not ones worth recording in built form. The city we pass on to the next generations should express our belief in the heritage of the city and our hope for its future; it should not epitomize absence of political will and abundance of greed.

Jhennifer Amundson
500 Cedar Street, St. Charles

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?