The History Police Arguing about architecture is progressive Fayetteville's push to spruce up its image and its downtown is sparking conflict between business owners and the city's Historic Resources Commission. As a city, we might as well get used to this type of conflict. Or even begin to appreciate it. Arguments about renovations mark progress. It means more people are looking to save buildings that are part of our city's past.
Conflict is inevitable between business and historical review boards.
That's true even today for Charleston and San Francisco, two of the cities that wrote the book for the preservation of American cities. Fayetteville, amid a renewed attention to preserving history, won't escape it either. But conflict can be productive. It forces preservationists, governments and business to work together. The aim of the preservationist, for example, is to maintain historical accuracy right down to every peg and plank in a single building.