somethinelse 0 #1 January 23, 2007 My town's airport is planning on demolishing its original big old rounded top hangar with slidding doors. I'd hate to see that happen! But they got lots of government money coming to put into the airport, and one of the several things that they are making publicallly known are they're plans to tear down this old hangar, and build more modern hangars at a different site. This airport is really growing. The main terminal and other newer buildings have been built about a half mile to the west of this old hangar which is at the far east edge of the airport and runways near a parking lot and high way. I'm wondering about possibly ways to keep this hangar from being torn down, and keeping open the possibilities for various flight and skydiving options in the future. What do you all think??? I appreciate all replies. Thanx - LuLu. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #2 January 23, 2007 You might look into whether it has any historic significance--either just by age or by any unique architecture/structural design. The right investor or right historic interest group might be able to step up and renovate it in a way that would maintain its character. This is an issue for consideration here in Denver because of facilities left behind from the old Stapleton International Airport. It's worth checking into, anyway!TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #3 January 23, 2007 Buy the hangar for a quantity that would offset the value of tearing it down and replacing it with a new one. Does this thing have some type of historical significance? Is it a work of architectural genius? If you don't mind me saying, a hangar is a roof and doors, it's not quite a Frank Lloyd Wright house."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #4 January 23, 2007 I know where you're coming from--but don't sell the "roof and doors" notion short. Historic interest groups might jump all over it and it doesn't have to be Frank Lloyd Wright. There's "old and dilapidated" and then there's "old and dilapidated, but unique and a little slice of history." But if this hangar is just in the "old and dilapidated" category, well, good luck!TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #5 January 23, 2007 QuoteI'm wondering about possibly ways to keep this hangar from being torn down, and keeping open the possibilities for various flight and skydiving options in the future. Is there a particular reason that future skydiving has to die with this building, or are those two completely separate questions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #6 January 23, 2007 Quote"old and dilapidated, but unique and a little slice of history." Yeah...I've supported some projects, shaken my head at others, and told my client that I cannot morally support their conclusion that his (taxpayers') money should be used to renovate this aspect of your building. Just because something is unique or old doesn't mean it should be kept around. If this old and unique building can be incorporated as a positive part of the future of a project then keep it. But there are few hangars in the world that meet this coincidence of requirements."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #7 January 23, 2007 I hear you! It's really hard to see favorite buildings go, but sometimes it's just not possible to find that extra "something special" that makes it worth keeping them around. You have to have a very special vision for it.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,147 #8 January 23, 2007 I used to live 4 miles from Duxford Airfield in the UK. By the 1960s it was disused, and they shot a lot of the footage for the movie "The Battle of Britain" there, including a shot where they blew up a hangar (supposedly hit by a nazi bomb). About a year later the powers that be decided that these were the oldest hangars left in the country, and were really pissed that one had been destroyed to make a movie. Duxford is now a huge military museum airfield and they built a new hangar to replace the destroyed one. If you go there you will notice that one of the hangars is completely out of character.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #9 January 23, 2007 Jewels, The historical angle is an idea. I'll checkthat out THX LuLu. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #10 January 23, 2007 No death of skydiving with the demolition of this old hangar... BUT its got potential for lots of off-beat or alternative entertain usage -in my humble opinion- especially in a university town that has a defintiely lack of entertainment options. Could be cool, right? I also think the way this building is laid out it could have a section of it that could possibly be lived in as well as having room for a big plane or a couple of smaller planes. Dream big. Ya know? Lots are possible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #11 January 23, 2007 Sometimes you can sell the idea if they are trying to perk up the area and you want to give an old project new life. Might be hard to get them to preserve the existing use if a replacement building is already in the works--but it could make a great space for ancillary businesses.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #12 January 23, 2007 Quote (supposedly hit by a nazi bomb). Goddam Socialist weaponry!"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #13 January 23, 2007 Yeah. Good points. I'll start first with checking the history of the place. named after some local WWII hero... Might be able too to check the possibility first to talk to the air port manager and just get a feel for whats going on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #14 January 23, 2007 Check, too, to see whether there is a development plan that is already in place and what is allowed under the plan. It's not impossible to change things, but if they just re-did the plan, it might be harder to swim against the current.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #15 January 23, 2007 By the way. The way this would have to go down is that the hangar turns into the FBO or has some central purpose. If they can't restor the shell and use it as a hangar then it's just junk getting in the way."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #16 January 24, 2007 Heya Jewels. Met with the Airport Manager this am. Good people. He told me that he too would like to see the old hangar saved. I guess its the city that wants to get rid of it. Only one engineer advised to take it down. But so far as he knows, no concrete plans are as of yet in the works. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #17 January 24, 2007 Heya JBL. Whats a FBO? I'm checking into history of the place now. The Airport Manager- member of local flying club that owns the organization that is managing the airport too for that matter, Would also like to see that old hangar saved. I think that the city only got one opinion of one engineer to check the structure due to liability and needing to see about replacement of three garage-type doors that needed to be replaced. The engineer told them that due to heavy loads bearing, and the deterioation of the building block type construction the corners needed to be rebuilt or something like that. That is the basis for the city saying tear it down. But I think that maybe another engineering opinion from an nuetral source might prove more objective. Also if it could be used for some financially beneficial or even a postively proressive use the city maybe be open to reconsider if somebody stepped into to back it. What do you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #18 January 24, 2007 It's good to hear that there are at least possibilities. Sounds like you're doing some good homework. I would suggest contacting a local historic preservation society and talking to them. That might serve the dual purposes of giving you some more ideas about how to approach this, as well as potentially creating an ally for the cause. Even if they don't want to get directly involved, they could be a great resource. Good luck!TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #19 January 25, 2007 FBO= Fixed Base Operator. The guy that pumps gas into the planes and has hangar space, weather radar, bathrooms and such available for transits or tenants. Most older hangars would not transition well into FBO useage other than as hangar space only. Operational doors, solid roof and relatively impermiable space are all good things for that use. If it's not costing money, or really in the way, what's the hurry in tearing it down? See if you can find some RC flyers in your area. If they have a club, or build one, they will need space indoors and out. Some times they have larger model dirigibles and planes that need storage space and are THRILLED to find a home that allows them to stay set up most of the time. Then when they host a fly in, really get your town to support it and VOILA! you have ECONOMIC advantages for the city keeping the hangar. Like wise, find out when the bi plane flyins happen and see if you can host a breakfast, lunch or dinner for the flyers.skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #20 January 26, 2007 Thanx Jewels. Yes, I'm doing historical research right now, and trying to get in touch with the County's Historical Society for help too. Thanx for all your help! I appreciate your insights... Blues LuLu. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #21 January 26, 2007 No matter WHAT happens, it's great to see someone make the effort to preserve something that's important to them. Keep us posted.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #22 January 26, 2007 Heya Snowwhite. I'm checking into all the particulars right now. Seems like I could have support from some of the local fliers for this too. I'm being low key about it so far, and just checking out why this is going down like it is so far. The Airport Manager says new hangars will attract more planes and biz to this airport, where as the old one can not do that. But don't see why it has to be a far gone conclusion that the old must be done away with to bring in the new. For a long time they weren't having Fly Ins, but they started 'em back up in 1997. Very cool! Originally from the old hangar, too... And it is such a really cool space too inside to have the breakfasts in. I'm gonna keep after this one, and do my home work and get some support before becoming too vocal about this perservation. Do you think I should be up on all the hisorty of the place before I would even just write an editorial letter to the editor of the local paper??? Thanx - LuLu. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #23 January 26, 2007 In your area there will be an historical preservation society. Find out who they are, and how knowlegable/active they are. Around here, they carry alot of clout. Ask them to help you with the research, they will have many more resources than you will be able to easily find. Ask them to add their name to what you are doing. There is strength in numbers. I have seen them save dilapidated pieces of useless crap, because the politicos don't like to anger them. Truely, they save some really important things too, so they would be good to have on your side.skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
