| Save the Kahiki | |
Dispatch columnist Joe Blundo recently asked this question in his comparison of the Kahiki and Walgreens (a comparison where he made sure "of course, that the Kahiki came out the winner"). (Columbus Dispatch, April 22, 2000) Overall this is a great assessment of what it would mean to the community to tear down the Kahiki.
But it seems amnesia would be the best word. Because Columbus routinely forgets the importance of preserving landmarks. Politicians and business leaders say they want to make Columbus a "world class city", but every time we bulldoze another landmark we become less of a world class city. I doubt Columbus can get much of a national reputation for tourism if all we have to offer are rows of burger joints and drug stores.
The following Columbus Dispatch letters to the editor echo my sentiment:
- Columbus' leaders ask why people know so little about our city. They wonder why we have no story with which people connect. Yet, why should people know anything about us when our biggest attractions are strip malls and parking lots? We will never have an image as long as we routinely destroy our heritage. (Mark C. Hiser, Columbus Dispatch, April 24, 2000)
For all of us who delight in the spectacle of the Kahiki, [tearing it down] would be a sad loss to the character of our community. Walgreens has other options it can explore. (Kristine Helm, Columbus Dispatch, May 2, 2000)
Demolishing the historic and architecturally unusual Bexley Theatre to make way for an ill-fated McDonalds was bad enough. But tearing down the Kahiki restaurant to put up a Walgreen's would be a travesty. (Richard Lubin, Columbus Dispatch, May 5, 2000)
The term "ill-fated" is one that must be kept in mind. Everyone was in such a hurry to bulldoze the Bexley Theatre for a McDonalds that promptly went out of business. Both Bexley and the Town and Country area where the Kahiki is located are now filled with empty stores and buildings; let's think about which we can really do without before bulldozing an east side icon. We would have benefitted from listening to those who wanted to save the Bexley Theatre.
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