DEAR EDITOR:
I was fortunate to attend the opening of the Wean Foundation offices on West Market Street. Last year, before work was started on the resurrection of this space, I had seen the sad state of affairs that was the interior of this building. Absolutely amazing what a talented architect, knowledgeable contractors and $2.5 million was able to do to that building. It is absolutely state of the art and will serve its purpose magnificently.
One has to wonder why anyone looking down the barrel of a similar project would want to spend more than four times that amount to build anything new in downtown Warren. Were it not for the Wean Foundation, the building that they now occupy more than likely would have sat vacant for the duration of its life, rotting under WRAP ownership. It is nice to see people respect and want to protect the architectural footprint of the Courthouse Square area. Sure is a new idea. Kudos to them for realizing that renovation is smarter than building new.
I sure hope that lesson is not lost on anyone else thinking about a similar project. Or on those who have to vote to allocate funds for any similar project.
Josh Nativio
Warren