What others say:

2/14/2010
“Rehab the houses and rent them out to generate income for operating/upkeep expenses for the Westcott House...”

2/10/2010
“I would vote for leveling those houses, they are of little value, historically or architecturally. Parking needs to be addressed, and the gift shop sounds like a great idea, but the main thing I would vote for are construction of some cottages in the FLW style that could be rented out to those making pilgrimages to visit. The ability to stay on site would be a great inducement to holding weddings, anniversary parties and the like at the main house. People like myself who are from outside the area would love staying there. There is a tie in with all the antique malls in the area. I first came upon Westcott house many years ago when I was attending a collector's convention, and was not aware there was a FLW home in Springfield, but did a U-turn to take a look. The house was vacant, but no restoration had taken place yet. I have felt drawn back to the property again and again and would love to stay in a cottage that mimics the style of the main house.”

2/7/2010
“I think they should be torn down. There was one idea submitted by one of the Miami U. architecture students that I thought was very good. That was to put a green space from the House to a Learning center and cafe. It would include a walk along a water way with benches for people to sit on.”

2/6/2010
“Go for it...there won't ever be a good time (financially) so push forward.”

2/6/2010
“Restore Greenmount properties to complement the "Westcott House" era. Then use the renovated interiors of the properties for related office space needs of the Westcott House Foundation and other appropriate (possibly some commercial) applications.”

2/5/2010
“There is no shortage of older homes in Springfield, as such I believe these homes should be removed as quickly as possible. A site plan should be developed leaving an area for a visitor center, and parking. The parking should be developed first along with landscaping of the entire site perhaps by student volunteers. Then a separate fund raising effort should be made to raise money to implement the plans by Stanley Tigerman for the visitor center. Clearly providing landscaped green space and parking would add to the value of the Westcott House and the historic trail.”

2/5/2010
“Two thoughts: one would be period "mini-museums" to reflect that era, or and even could be also, bed and breakfasts available for general public, but could be discounted for Westcott members. Granted, both would take large investment and operating costs. Perhaps not saving all, but select few could alleviate that somewhat.”

2/4/2010
“There should be two determining factors in the decision to keep or destroy these properties. Are they historically significant? In other words, were they there when Westcott House was built? If so they should be retained, either through full restoration or with the exterior restored to the original and the interiors configured to other useful purposes, even to being residences. In this vein, the houses could even be sold with covenants that changes will require approval of the Westcott House Foundation or another appropriate historical body. (In Indiana these matters are usually handled by a local government organization that oversees historic buildings or areas, or by the Indiana Historic Landmarks Foundation, an agency associated with The National Trust for Historic Preservation). If they aren't historically significant, basically indicating they don't meet the test above, do they have value for restoration in the general architectural style in which they now exist, even allowing for expansion? In other words, would there be an economic benefit in performing work on the buildings that would maintain or enhance the neighborhood? If so, and they aren't historic, they should be saved. If not, to what use and benefit could the space occupied be used? In this general neighborhood, the houses along High Street seem to have been those owned by the "well to do" and the houses behind those appear to have been occupied by people who provided support for the High Street houses - occupied by the cooks, butlers, maids, etc. If this was the general case, the houses "down the hill" contribute a significant history to the area and should be seen as important as the High Street houses.”

2/4/2010
“If the environment around the Westcott House was still identical to 1908, I would say perhaps the Greenmount properties should stay. However, since the view from the front of the Westcott House is nothing like it was in 1908 I see no point in investing in the existing properties on Greenmount. I believe the Tea House and Architecture Building would be of the greater value to the Springfield community and supply additional income to the foundation.”

2/2/2010
“Having given this a lot of thought and weighing the historical merit of those buildings, against the cost to bring them back to what they were, which were simply build structures. Seeing that for the past 5 years they have sat as they are adding nothing to the appearance or appeal of the area, only further decaying, my thoughts would be to make a documentary film showing them inside and out perhaps combined with some historical shots of them. Show that film in the new educational center and coffee shop that is built in that area after they are torn down. Many of our tour guests have questioned me as to why they have been left standing.”

2/1/2010
“I think that it would be best to remove the Greenmount Ave. houses. They do not add any visual interest to the area and would be expensive to improve. I like the idea of a center being built which could be utilized by students, possibly offering classes or lectures for the public. The house itself has no large spaces to accommodate large groups.”

01/26/2010
“We would need to coordinate any plans with the City of Springfield Planning Department to assure we would be in zoning compliance. One primary use of the property should be for administrative and meeting space. Parking is non-existent, so needs to be considered a top priority. In this regard, do we need to save all the houses north of the Westcott House, or just a representative sample of the best? The properties to the north give us the opportunity to create a gateway from US 40. The corner of East Main and Greenmount Avenue could be used to provide signage or a symbol that would direct visitors coming along US 40.”

01/25/2010
“I would like to see the original idea of a Japanese tea garden with a new gift shop so the garage can be restored to a garage. It has been a long time coming. The Greenmount properties continue to deteriorate.”

01/25/2010
“Have viewed same homes for many years. Most of homes, in our opinion seem to have little architectural value (??). Possibly, in the architectural "mimic" of Westcott, houses could be removed, smaller "Westcott"-types of office buildings could be installed, also parking lot installed perimeters with FLW Westcott-styled peripheral fencing/ small gardens, etc.”

01/24/2010
“As for the Greenmount properties, my home away from home and laboratory for over a year my only comment is that whatever agreements and covenants that are (were) attached with the stipulations in receiving the Historic Tax credits are not violated, do what is needed to enhance the experience of visiting the Westcott House and the goals of the WHF.”

01/24/2010
“While I think it would be interesting to restore the Greenmount houses back to era when the Westcott House was built and get the "total" picture of when the Westcotts lived there, that restoration probably would come at a great dollar amount. The Westcott House needs additional parking and a place on site for that wonderfully restored Westcott Touring Car. If there was additional space for another gift shop, the garage could be returned to the original 1909 version and keep the car on site. The houses are an eyesore and are continually commented upon by the visitors. If one or two of the houses are viable enough and cost effective to save and be used for a "Tea Room" or some such, do so. I vote for what is the best for the Westcott House.”

01/22/2010
“I'm not sure that all of the buildings could reasonably be put to productive use by the Foundation. I would suggest that the houses that predate Westcott House be preserved as providers of historical context, and some commercial use (coffee shop or professional office) found. Signage would need to be managed to keep the tie-in to Westcott House while allowing advertisement by the tenant. The buildings that came after Westcott House, or that may be too decayed to rebuild, could either be offered for sale as residential properties (to be restored) or demolished and replaced with informal local-flora gardens. But in all cases it all comes down to the likely long-term viability of these options.”

01/22/2010
“It's important for Springfield to put its best foot forward for visitors to the Westcott House. An appropriate visitor center, along with the Japanese tea house idea, seems ideal. I vote to get rid of the houses.”

01/22/2010
“Perhaps one or two of the houses is "worth" saving for their architectural significance as a reflection and representation of this period in time and how those homes might have related to the Westcott House. I don't feel all of the buildings are significant enough to save. And, this should be done only if it is financially feasible to do so (i.e. through an interested investor) and if a practical use for the buildings can be determined. In their current condition, these structures do not add value to the ambience surrounding the Westcott House; they detract from it.”

01/22/2010
“The Westcott House is a gem in a sad city. I doubt most of Springfield's citizens have visited the house. Use the space as an educational/outreach center and link with the local school system. Create curriculum and enrichment for kids -- not just young kids--teens to. Build your base in the lower income areas, not just the folks who live on the right side of the tracks.”

01/22/2010
“tear down these worthless properties”

01/22/2010
“From my perspective, the Greenmount homes have deteriorated to the point where they are not worth saving. However, rather than tearing them down, I suggest they be de-constructed, with all usable parts either recycled or sold as architectural salvage. Then, when the lot is cleared, I would like to see a new building built (in an appropriate FLW style) that can serve as either an apartment building, or a mixed-use building, with offices on the first floor and apartments above.”

01/22/2010
“While I respect preservation, the houses behind the Westcott House should be removed. Houses like that are a dime a dozen in this community. In their current state they detract from the Westcott House and for the time being, green space, possibly a pocket park, will enhance the house best.”

1/20/2010
“I think it would be good to keep a few of the houses. Maybe turn one or two in to a bed and breakfast. Turn one into a coffee house or little sandwich shop and maybe one into a nice sit down restaurant (which Springfield really does not have anymore). Most could be probably done without extensive work.”

1/16/2010
“IDEA: Why not send an anonymous questionnaire to your membership with the options and see what the response is. What is the best option for the future financial viability of the Westcott House?”

1/11/2010
“My suggestion: rehab the exterior of the homes to make weather tight & secure, and offer to sale to the public for residences, allowing the new owner to finish the interior as he or she sees fit. Attach protective covenants to the sales contracts specifying pertinent items such as rehab deadlines, the submittal of plans to the Westcott House Foundation, etc. Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana (www.historiclandmarks.org) has a very successful real estate development program and, I'm sure, would be happy to share their story of success. Best of luck in your efforts...I hope you are able to not only save the houses in question, but to help breathe life back into them.”

1/15/2010
“I think that you should redo each house behind as a decade example of typical American homes. That way you could go through the different houses and see what a 1940s home really looked like. What was typically seen in a 1960s home. It could have period pieces that would bring back memories of the past decades for some and a visual education of the past for others. Maybe one house could be a home of tomorrow type home with all the cutting edge technology."

1/8/2010
“The Greenmount houses should be demolished. Use the area behind the Westcott for a conference center or something that relates to FL Wright. The houses are eyesores that add nothing to our understanding of Wright's work. Perhaps one house could be saved as a reminder of the era. But trying to maintain all of them would suck large amounts of money away from the primary mission of the Westcott.”

1/6/2010
“The fact that the houses pre-dated Westcott (by a relatively short time) is pretty much the only reason anyone seems to have for keeping them. I was involved in the restoration, and am familiar with their condition. I feel that one or two of them could possibly be saved and incorporated into a design for the property, but any more than that would simply be too expensive. I also feel that if this where done, the choice of which ones to save would have to be made carefully. Most of the houses are similar to hundreds of vernacular houses in town, and that fact makes saving them at great cost a questionable decision. I think the bottom line is this: Whatever is done with the properties should be decided on the basis of what will benefit the Westcott House's future viability the most.”

12/31/2009
“I would suggest a park or green space in place of the old houses on Greenmount. Maybe save one or two of the houses and renovate them to be used for classes or offices, but definitely tear down the smaller, ugly buildings. Trees and beautiful landscaping would enhance the entire Westcott House property.”

12/29/2009
“The Greenmount houses were an eyesore before the Westcott house became an eyesore. They are no more historical and are far less historical than some of the houses that were demolished for the city's new hospital. (Where were the preservationists when this happened?) Tear them down and build something that we can be proud of and that will be an addition to the Westcott House experience.”

12/27/2009
“I believe it is important to show a house museum "in situ" and not abstrac-ted from everyday life. This is especially important with Mr. Wright's work. To see the building in the environment in which it was built and how that property has evolved, is so important to understanding how revolutionary Mr. Wright's designs were. To pretend it is something it is not is to establish a false understanding of the house.”