[Vision2020] Beauty speaks for itself - architectural standards?

Thu Jan 27 09:20:59 PST 2005

Mark, your idea about implementing good taste and quality planning into the 
construction of buildings in Moscow reasonates with me, too.  But some feel 
that private property rights should always prevail over government 
regulation of matters of taste and aesthetics.  Hence, we have no 
architectural standards in downtown, which apparently allows sheet metal 
buildings to be made in our downtown core among the other beautiful 
buildings.  It shocked me when a brick building burned downtown,  about five 
years ago, that it could be replaced with what appeared to be a sheet metal 
pole barn.

I would be in favor of some architectural standards in our downtown core, 
and I would hope that the core extends up Main Street to A Street.  What 
would be involved in developing and implementing some standards, and is 
there any support for this?

Bruce Livingston

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Seman" <FCS at Moscow.com>
To: "Fiat Lux" <fiat_lx at yahoo.com>; <vision2020 at Moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2005 12:12 AM
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Beauty speaks for itself

> Fiat Lux (et al),
> You bring up a good point about the condition of Moscow's downtown.  There
> are very few businesses that exhibit pride in the appearance of the 
> building
> they occupy.  One significant reason is because many business owners are 
> not
> the same people that own the building or property.  I don't know the
> percentages, but there are sufficient absentee property owners that have
> minimal interest in Moscow's community-appearance.  One effort to improve
> the situation and has been in the works for 1-2 years, is a Business
> Improvement District (BID.)  In essence it is a levy placed on property
> owners, which would then be used to improve the district.  The levy amount
> and the improvements made would be defined in the petition that initiates
> the BID.  More on this can be found at the Chamber office or in the Idaho
> Code, Title 50, section 2601.  Back to your point...
>
> The improvements made to facilities by Zume, Bucer's, and other NSA
> affiliates are inspiring and have been noticeable improvements to the
> downtown.  These remodels have offered a glimpse of revitalization 
> potential
> because of someone's willingness to invest money in Moscow's downtown.
> These improvements (and other considerate ones), while still very budget
> minded, do cost money.  Not only money for the construction, but believe 
> it
> or not, on a rare occasion there may be a designer involved and they get
> paid.  Compare these types of improvements with those built without
> design...most surely an eyesore.  And there are even those on Main Street
> that were "designed", that should never have been built.  Some people have
> taste, some think they do and others know they do not.  When investing, 
> it's
> best to have taste.
>
> And what is the taste of Moscow?  What would draw visitors here?  The most
> prominent thing I can imagine are the events. It's definitely not the 
> taste
> of the infrastructure.  There is the random smattering of good taste and a
> lot of just bad stuff, which sure fills up with renters and buyers, but 
> what
> does it tell the visitor?  I see the lack of pride and willingness to 
> invest
> in community.  I believe, as you do, that attractive buildings (and other
> improvements) should be an integral part of Moscow's vision.  I hope that
> they will eventually be manifest and commonplace.  It's such a good way to
> taste!
>
> Best wishes for your vision,
> Mark
> * * * * * * * * * * *
> Mark Seman, Architect
> Heather Seman, Landscape Architect
> Full Circle Studios
> 1404 East 'F' Street
> Moscow, Idaho 83843
> v 208-883-3276
> f 208-883-0112
> FCS at Moscow.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com 
> [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On
> Behalf Of Fiat Lux
> Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 10:49 PM
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] Beauty speaks for itself
>
> Hi all,
> Political and religious ideologies aside, let's talk
> aesthetics for a moment.  The restorative treatment of
> the building now occupied by NSA is to be commended
> and appreciated by all.  Both the external and
> internal work, at least from what I see in the
> restaurant area, is very pleasing to the senses and
> raises the bar, with regard to street appeal, for
> other businesses in the downtown core.  The inside of
> Zume is a beautiful space.   Beautification is good.
>
> I do not know what (if anything) the city ordinances
> have to say about maintenance standards for buildings
> in the downtown core, but what NSA brings to our town
> in this regard should be inspiring, not threatening.
> There are other historic buildings in the downtown
> core, that could benefit from similar treatment.
> Sadly, some of Moscow's grand, old, cornerstone
> buildings have achieved eyesore status.   The
> condition of our town's prominent buildings speaks
> volumes about our community, to those of us who live
> here full time as well as the many visitors who pass
> through.  Attractive buildings hurt no one.  Let's
> include them as an integral part of our hopes and
> "vision" for Moscow.
>
> Yours truly,
> Fiat Lux
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
> http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
>
> _____________________________________________________
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> /////////////////////////////////////////////////////
>
>
> _____________________________________________________
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ 