Looking at the recent past, one would tend to say no, especially with the demolition of Urbana's antebellum Ater-Jaques House, the razing of the Champaign County Forest Preserve's Levi Wood House and the impending leveling of the sheriff's residence. Over the last 40 years, hundreds of buildings have been lost to fire, urban renewal, redevelopment schemes with acres of parking, campus green space and apartments. But ever so gradually a preservation awareness has taken root and is growing. The efforts of university urban planning students to survey historic buildings, the founding of the Champaign County Historical Museum, and the saving and rehabilitation of the Greek Revival Cottage were all early indications of our community's need to connect with its past. This grass-roots preservation movement finally achieved political status with the recent appointment of historic preservation commissions in both Champaign and Urbana.
Historic preservation is public policy, at least when it's convenient.
Without a firm commitment on the part of our elected officials that the history and character of our community is important and needs to be preserved and protected, historic preservation will continue to be disregarded in exchange for quick economic profit or political expediency. Locally, Champaign and Urbana's downtowns will grow even more important as venues for small personalized shops, unique restaurants, and entertainment. Neighborhoods with mature landscaping, houses with porches for sitting and visiting, and homes with personality and history will become even more important and desirable. Issues for the future will probably mirror those of the past. Individual buildings and structures will still need saving.