Plan to preserve, renovate Janesville building lacks money

By FRANK SCHULTZ ( Contact )   Monday, June 29, 2009
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A group of Janesville residents proposes the city use $450,000 in community development block grant money to turn the former Case Feed building at the corner of Rockport Road and Center Avenue into a new community center.

A group of Janesville residents proposes the city use $450,000 in community development block grant money to turn the former Case Feed building at the corner of Rockport Road and Center Avenue into a new community center.

— An effort continues to preserve one of the oldest buildings in the city. A major obstacle remains: money.

Community activist and realtor Andreah Briarmoon held an open house Sunday at the old Case Feed building at 922 Rockport Road.

Briarmoon pitched an idea that the building become a community center and anchor for the low-income neighborhood, providing services such as computers for children, day care and lawnmowers for those who don’t own their own.

Fewer than 10 people entered the building during the first 90 minutes of the event. Some signed a petition asking that the building be preserved.

Tammy Cavallino, a tenant in a Briarmoon-owned building, was helping with the open house.

“I thought it would be nice to keep all this historic stuff in the town, for the next generation, like her,” Cavallino said, pointing to her 10-year-old daughter, Brittany. Brittany was taking photos of the building for a 4-H project.

As previously reported, Briarmoon is the agent for the sale of the property, owned by North American Companies of Madison. Briarmoon said the company has accepted an offer from Gideon Ngobi of Janesville to buy the two joined buildings that were originally built as a grocery store around 1879.

The sale price is about $89,000, Briarmoon said.

Plans are to renovate and rent out an upstairs apartment as subsidized housing and to use the eastern building for cold storage. Income from the storage facility could leverage a loan to help restore the building, Briarmoon said.

Briarmoon also talked of applying for a restoration grant.

The building to the west, closest to the corner of Center Avenue and Rockport Road, would serve as a cooperative office building for small-business people who would pay $300 a month, Briarmoon said.

The buildings are decrepit and decaying, with buckled floors, peeling paint and broken pipes. The city on May 15 ordered the owner to secure the structure by boarding it up, replacing broken windows and repairing brick.

The city eventually sent workers to board up broken windows and secure the doors, Briarmoon said.

The city on June 25 issued an order forbidding human occupancy of the eastern building.

In the western side on Sunday, hand-printed signs said “View building at your own risk.”

Briarmoon previously was denied a request for $450,000 from the city’s Community Development Authority. Now, she will ask the CDA for $35,000 to pay the city back for securing the building and costs associated with the sale.

Briarmoon said Ngobi has offers from three contractors to restore the buildings.

The CDA meets July 15 at City Hall, and the request is on the agenda, Briarmoon said.

Briarmoon noted the city recently spent $300,000 to buy and demolish an old apartment building at the corner of Court Street and Parker Drive.

The site is now a vacant lot where grass grows and could be used for future parking.

“We spent $300,000,” Briarmoon said. “We should have something to show for it besides grass.”







reader COMMENTS (53)
hannah
Jul 9, 2009 at 10:50 a.m.
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funnny the newest article says it cost city $750 approx to do these things. I knew $35k was a "high" amount.
Now, she will ask the CDA for $35,000 to pay the city back for securing the building and costs associated with the sale.

MissG
Jul 3, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.
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I think a better way to stimulate the economy would be to knock it down, pave it over, and give Bad Brad's more parking space. Ever tried to park there on a Friday or Saturday night....

I'm all for a community center. But, not a cost of 450,000, and in such an undesireable location.

gazettefan
Jul 3, 2009 at 9:19 a.m.
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Why isn't billnewbie here defending her?

banyan99
Jul 2, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
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Wow! She's been a busy little bee since I left town ;)

I've been following the foreclosures on the Sheriff's website and don't see her listed through the end of August which is as far as they have listed currently. http://www.co.rock.wi.us/Dept/Sheriff/ci...

hannah
Jul 2, 2009 at 3:19 p.m.
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banyan- I remember you now.
the site i mean is wccaP site. Imangine that TWO names. sorry you cannot hide!!
Seems 3 banks wanted here at the SAME time. interesting.

banyan99
Jul 2, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
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LOL - thanks, but I know her history very, very personally. I was just confused because I can't find the foreclosure anymore and didn't want either of you to get in trouble for saying it was in forclosure if it is not. Can you post a link to the website?

It is sad because the Case building was unique and it would have been a great building to save - 20 years ago. Like the Hays block building on Milwaukee St. - great building! But I don't think the city saved that one. I believe, but could be wrong, that it is privately owned. I wish the Janesville Historically Society was more involved with historic building preservation, pressuring the city BEFORE the buildings are falling down, getting local companies to donate time and services, etc.

hannah
Jul 2, 2009 at 11:01 a.m.
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make sure if you look her up you look at both names andrea k and kay a!! there is stuff under both if you want the WHOLE story.

localboysince1968
Jul 2, 2009 at 6:17 a.m.
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banyan - she has a history of milking the system to benefit herself, and not needy others. She is a socialist at heart, and others have described her intent almost spot on. She wants attention, and she will get it most likely. If you look at this weeks court info, she is back in foreclosure.......I am sure she knows that system well, and is exploiting every loophole.

Back to the core issue. If the building was so significant, where was the interest when it was on its decline? Now that it faces the bulldozer, EVERYBODY is concerned about it. How many of us have drove by that dump in the last 30 years and watch it decay with no interest in its future? I don't get it. Raze the joint, and let Dinosaur Valley move forward....

banyan99
Jul 1, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
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hannah and localboy - careful, her house was in foreclosure, past tense. Trust me, I was looking to buy it. Amazing how the Obama plan said it was only for owner occupied homes but all three of her properties were suddenly refinanced just days before being auctioned off. I guess she must occupy three homes, or we would need to assume she was dishonest on her application and we would never assume that ;)

hannah
Jul 1, 2009 at 1:38 p.m.
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bajgerlvr- funny on the screeming place.
jims bar WAS across the street till it "burned" to the ground. Weird how so many of his bars "burn" to the ground.

Then the case might "burn " to the ground and no more worries about it.

hannah
Jul 1, 2009 at 1:36 p.m.
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greengina"I also don't believe everyone on the council is qualified to be there; they won by popular vote, not because they were best suited for the job"

I WILL AGREE HERE! I have mentioned this in another post and somebody didnt like it. They are trying to control our money yet cannot control their own. That seemsUNQUALIFIED to me.

hannah
Jul 1, 2009 at 1:33 p.m.
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hankjanes"She was a realtor during one of the greatest upward boom markets in the history of real estate. Yet her own financial problems pre-date the big crash'

and that year she sold 4 homes. look it up it is MLS info. FACT!

hannah
Jul 1, 2009 at 1:25 p.m.
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localboy-"She needs to save her own home which is in foreclosure before she worries about some old rickity building."

my thoughts exactly!!

bill6328
Jul 1, 2009 at 6:15 a.m.
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I would personally contribute a few $$ to hire a bulldozer to demolish this eyesore.

gazettefan
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:54 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
HankJanes
Jun 30, 2009 at 7:12 p.m.
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greengina8, you said "too many cooks spoil ......."

What if someone with only a lot of crazy ideas became mayor. How would he or she be controlled?

And how would he or she become mayor? You complained that the current councilmembers "won by popular vote, not because they were best suited for the job."

What exactly would your plan be to get Janesville proper leadership?

banyan99
Jun 30, 2009 at 6:57 p.m.
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How about the city makes her pay back all the wasted money from the shack fiasco and then they can use that money to restore the Case Building? LOL, I crack myself up.

At any rate, if this is such a great idea, where is the funding from the private sector? Like I've said before, if you really want to save the building, you need to find intrested parties with deep pockets and skilled friends to donate time and services (and funds) then ask the city to fill the gap with any funds you're lacking. You don't just walk up to the city with your hand out. However, great way to be the victim - yet again! Classic Karen!

tipi16
Jun 30, 2009 at 4:59 p.m.
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Tear it down and build something new for the area. I was in it when it was Case feed. It was in bad shape then. If someone would have put some effort into it at that time, It would have been salvagble (sp). The east wall is about to fall in. Just the right wind would take it out. It is too far gone to be restored.

greengina8
Jun 30, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.
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Badgerlvr- What a great idea! HA HA! ;)

greengina8
Jun 30, 2009 at 4:16 p.m.
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HankJanes-??? I read all the time. That's all I've done for the last solid five years of my life. What do you mean by mind candy? I began reading before kindergarten and don't plan to stop any time soon. Checks and balances you say? I'll look into it just for you...

Badgerlvr
Jun 30, 2009 at 3:19 p.m.
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Maybe Jim Halbauk (sp) and Andrea could open up a disco and call it "Sceeming Andrea's"

HankJanes
Jun 30, 2009 at 3:11 p.m.
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greengina8, you should read, or try to read more. Read good stuff. Read about how governments work and how democracy works. Put special focus on checks and balances.

Don't read mind-candy.

greengina8
Jun 30, 2009 at 12:21 p.m.
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I never said I was a Briarmoon supporter. I don't know her or care to know her for that matter. HJ-We are all individuals and you assumed you were the same as her; I did not say that. As for the whole mayoral thing, I am a believer that too many cooks spoil the pot and 1 person in charge is better than 8, that's all. I also don't believe everyone on the council is qualified to be there; they won by popular vote, not because they were best suited for the job. And this is an opinion based on my personal experiences, just like yours is based on your life. We are the same that way.

HankJanes
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.
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Great post, jansvillean. The building is doomed. That's why she's attached herself to the issue. She wants to create the impression that the city is on a rampage bulldozing buildings -it is not. She wants to create the impression that the city is picking on her -it is not.

She was a realtor during one of the greatest upward boom markets in the history of real estate. Yet her own financial problems pre-date the big crash. Too bad, because maybe she'd be in a better position to "save" the Case Feed Store.

greengina8, because none of us is perfect that means we are all the same as her?!!! Lose the relativism; it's a deadend to discourse.

She caused the shack fiasco. She's the one who cost the taxpayers all that money. If the city would have let her have her way it would have set a precedent that would have allowed Janesville to become a shanty town.

And please educate us on how the mayoral system would improve things in Janesville.

janesvillean
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:12 a.m.
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greengina8, one really can't go into specifics here because of the little warnings at the bottom of the page, but just remember that some of us have formed our opinions of Ms. Prochaska McGuire Briarmoon not by Gazette coverage but by close dealings and have, alas, learned not to trust her any farther than we can throw her. We may even agree on key issues, but for her, conflict is validating, and consensus is threatening. She picks causes like this one not because she thinks she can finally persuade everyone to go her way, but instead precisely because she will feel vindicated by rejection or failure. She inserts herself beyond her professional role because it always has to be 100% about her.

greengina8
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
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Thanks, almeg. :)

almeg
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.
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The issue is that they (B'moon and/or the buyer) are asking the CDA for funding for this building.First $450,000 then $35,000. If they have "all their ducks in a row" and use their own money, then yes, they can do whatever they want with it, within city code and zoning ordinances of course.

greengina8
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.
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True. So doesn't the owner of the building have a say in the fate of the building? It sounds like the prospective buyer has their ducks in a row. So if their is a prospective buyer, what is the issue?

Has everone out there always done everything above the board? I doubt it. I don't share views with Ms. Briarmoon on most subjects. She should abide by the law, just like everyone else. That whole carraige house thing was a huge fiasco, and a waste of taxpayer money. Also, to say Bill Truman is virtually the mayor means virtually nothing.

whoanellie
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
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wesconsi: I realize we do have alot of resale shops but in this economy they are needed. Maybe you can go to the mall or big stores to buy your things, but we as a people here in janesville are being taxed to death by the city, the state, and the government! Those places are real popular now because you can get good clothes & furniture at decent prices! Don't begrudge someone for trying to help and make a living, it may be all they have.

almeg
Jun 30, 2009 at 10:16 a.m.
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greengina8- Yes, we need to keep city government honest, but we also need to keep the citizens honest too. You can't ignore and refuse to abide by the laws, rules, and city ordinances just because you don't agree with them.

HankJanes
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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greengina8, please keep a running record on this site as to what it's like working with her on the matter of the Case Feed store. She needs your help and you seem ready and willing to give it.

Also, is it productive to have a dishonest person working against "dishonest" people?

And by the way, no one ever said that someone else is not entitled to their opinion. We are only stating ours.

greengina8
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:46 a.m.
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We have the right to disagree, but not to be harassing. Ms. Briarmoon has been a bit excentric, I'll agree, but she is entitled to her opinion. It would seem she is very passionate about the city and it's historic buildings. We need passionate, driven people to keep the city government honest, because without them, most of the historic buildings (among other things) in this town would have been bulldozed long ago. Janesville is not a terrible place and I don't believe Ms. Briarmoon feels negatively about the city in general. I believe her gripe is with how things have been historically run in this town, you know, the "good old boy" way. We need changes to happen to help us move forward. I don't agree with a city council running any city. I would prefer to have a mayor. But that isn't what this is about. It's about tearing down a beautiful historic building to put in a parking lot. The city should be actively seeking out the purchase of the building. It would make a great community center.

Opinionsforfree
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:21 a.m.
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Well I see the Gazette went from the GMGazette
to the BriarmoonGazette.

biggirl
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:08 a.m.
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I agree with people here that no government money should be given toward this. At the very least, the owner should have to prove citizen interest by establishing an organization that raises a significant amount of cash through benefits, donations, etc. There are also grants out there to be had.

janesvillegirl72
Jun 30, 2009 at 9:06 a.m.
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I have never even been in that building but would really like to see it restored and used for some kind of viable business since it is one of the oldest buildings in town and many people seem to have some sort of memory of it. Janesville has lost so much it seems a shame to let another part of its history go if there is any way to save it. Although I agree that if Briarmoom were not involved it would probably go more smoothly but at least her antics have kept it in the news and that makes people aware that the building is in real jeopardy of being demolished.

gazettefan
Jun 30, 2009 at 8:32 a.m.
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The Fourth Ward is nicely represented by Bill Truman who as president of the city council is virtually the mayor of Janesville.

Don't get Bill started on what he thinks of Andreah.

DiGriz
Jun 30, 2009 at 7:28 a.m.
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This sounds to me more like an avenue of approach for her to unload the building on the city by diverting their attention in order to farm for interested city officials. All she needs to do is prove that Abraham Lincoln bought groceries there, and it's a lock. THEN the coffee-clutch gang would push for it to be preserved for sure and find the money. But, sadly, Abe got capped in 1865....years before it was built. Maybe Grant bought some bread there???
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I grew up around that building, and my family bought bird seed there for years, but I'm on the wall as far as it being preserved. The last time I looked at it, the wall facing Centerway looked like it was buckling.

eatlessmovemore
Jun 30, 2009 at 6:48 a.m.
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I love this building!! Hopefully it's not too late to save it. Andrea's name attached to it is the "kiss of death" though.

janesvillean
Jun 30, 2009 at 12:55 a.m.
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almeg, those are very good questions, but I suppose they only apply if the parties involved object to her acting as more than an agent.
.
It is a shame, because I would like to see the structure saved to anchor a mini commercial district (once the economy recovers), but she is basically leveraging this for her pet scheme of getting a community center. She's the only one who thinks one is necessary (there are plenty of schools and churches in the area to hold meetings, and all the beneficial activities are things she could start right now without a center), and she only wants it so she can be the (paid) queen of the community center.
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A legitimate agent would be exploring all options (bar, restaurant, spaceport), so that the project would have more chance of success. If her community center daydream had backing, there would be private seed money available to show some viability. Even non-profits need to have a business plan.

gazettefan
Jun 29, 2009 at 10 p.m.
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Andreah, are you reading these posts? This is what Janesville really thinks of you and your shenanigans. This is not a government plot. This how the populace really thinks.

Learn to actually work with people. You can't bypass the give-and-take required to attain leadership. You have to earn it by actually working with people. You are incapable of working with people.

You are disconnected. Snap out of it!

localboysince1968
Jun 29, 2009 at 9:12 p.m.
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She needs to save her own home which is in foreclosure before she worries about some old rickity building. I smell something stinky here when she is trying to get tax payer money to pay for some scheme she is involved in. The taxpayers might end up helping her pay her house payment. Wouldn't that be nice? I wouldn't trust anything she has got her fingers in...

ladystardust
Jun 29, 2009 at 9:02 p.m.
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lol lussonee! Yes every time her name is mentioned it's like a trainwreck, you don't really want to know but you just can't turn away. What's hilarious is that she's been trying to sell that building for years. One time I looked at it and it was literally rotting on the inside. No body wants to fix the building, so she scoured the laws to find yet another way to profit off the government. If she thinks this town needs a community center so bad, she should turn her "galleria" that was once upon a time a business downstairs with apts upstairs into a center that provides computers for kids, daycare and put lawnmowers to rent on the very spot the "carriage barn" used to stand. Then maybe the city's population wouldn't think she was so kooky if she was contributing to society in a positive way.

wesgonsin
Jun 29, 2009 at 8:52 p.m.
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The city should buy the property next door and have it paved over for a parking lot. That way a developer could renovate the old Case Feed building and lease it out to yet ANOTHER resale/year-round rummage sale/ "antique" shop....
.
Yawn.
.
I think Janesville should have in place some sort of licensing apparatus to keep the number of dime-a-dozen resale shops in check. If anyone were to ask me (and yes, I realize no one did), I would answer that I viewed all of those consignment stores as urban blight.

hannah
Jun 29, 2009 at 7:59 p.m.
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almeg"And they wouldn't have to pay the city back for securing the building, if they would have taken care of it themselves when the city issued the order."


dejavou?????????????????

lussonee
Jun 29, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
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It would be easier to get people involved if Briermoon's name was'nt attached to it. If she truely cared about projects like this, she would cloak herself in darkness and work behind the scenes. Every time Andrea shows up in the media i get a bad feeling about her motives.

ladystardust
Jun 29, 2009 at 7:25 p.m.
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Why don't we use that building as a think tank to discover new and better ways to bring business and jobs to Janesville, to preserve the historical districts that are here now, and to find a way to get rid of Briarmoon's realty license??? I'd put up cash for that. Also I think her property with the carriage barn fiasco on court st would make a fine community center!

almeg
Jun 29, 2009 at 6:29 p.m.
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And they wouldn't have to pay the city back for securing the building, if they would have taken care of it themselves when the city issued the order.

almeg
Jun 29, 2009 at 6:25 p.m.
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Sounds like Briarmoon is more that just the realtor in this...is she a partner of some kind in this deal? Why is she applying for grants? Wouldn't the buyer do this?

lumberjack754
Jun 29, 2009 at 5:56 p.m.
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i totaly agree with mskari. the Brialoon saga is getting quite old. If janesville is such a terrible place, why don't you move to Milwaukee or maybee Rockford, where things are a little more relaxed?

hannah
Jun 29, 2009 at 5:43 p.m.
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she will ask the CDA for $35,000 to pay the city back for securing the building and costs associated with the sale.


WOW I didnt know plywood was that expensive now!!!

"Briarmoon noted the city recently spent $300,000 to buy and demolish an old apartment building at the corner of Court Street and Parker Drive"


REMEMBER THEYRE OUT TO GET YOU!!!

MsKari
Jun 29, 2009 at 5:26 p.m.
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Andrea why don't you just move someplace else and be a pain in the side of another community. Janesville is very tired of your antics. I know you must realize everybody just laughs at you and your strange antics. Aren't you embarassed ?

spikesmom
Jun 29, 2009 at 5:25 p.m.
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There are so many possibilities for that building. If we keep tearing down our historic buildings all we will have left from our past are the rundown rentals in the old 4th ward.

rooster
Jun 29, 2009 at 4:56 p.m.
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ge rid of it. use the money for something else.

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