The U recently tore down the beautiful old music building next to Dinkytown and they have no plans for the land. Does it really cost so much to leave a fine old building until it can be reused? These old buildings are amazing and we can't recreate that craftsmanship again.

yes...it actually does cost a HUGE amount to keep a building, if you don't want it to deteriorate.

Buildings that are not used seem to deteriorate fast and outlive their usefulness. It can also attract mice and squatters. Then when a beam falls on them, they sue and it costs more to settle the claim that it would have to tear it down.

They are removing Wesbrook so they can put in a train-rider stop for the light rail.... Not to worry about the buildings - in maybe 20 years, all those stone buildings on the Mall near the railroad track will have their masonry and stone joints rubbed thin by 20 years of vibrations and be in structural trouble, and then we can put up spiffy new aluminum-and-glass covered buildings to replace them... Oh, don't get all uptight... it happens to all unpinned sandstone and limestone structures next to all rail yards. Why did you think the old rail stations were so bloody massive? These buildings aren't so special that it won't happen to them.

hobie2, you've clearly been following the light rail plans very closely. Wesbrook is not near where the light rail or stations will be. Light rail doesn't have the same level of vibration as heavy (freight) rail and the stretch that goes through the U is built on floating slabs to reduce vibrations affecting highly sensitive research equipment located MUCH closer than the buildings on Northrop Mall. Read up before you spew next time.

Where are they getting the money for demolition?? The U always wants more money and they never cut back...this time it will be different! No more constant building. Who has been getting rich with this constant building??? The U says they do not have anymore money but they are putting up a new $40 million dorm!

Yeah, Wesbrook is nowhere near the lightrail line. Not sure where that nonsense comes from. I'm just sad they're tearing these gorgeous old buildings down on the chance that they're gonna get their full budget request approved by a GOP Legislature that would prefer the simpler times of 1896 when Wesbrook was built. You know, back when only the richest white males were allowed into college, making it much cheaper and less of a burden on the state to help educate the poor and the *gasp* ethnic minorities.

These buildings are not worth saving

I think it is sad. I lived in Austria for awhile and marveled at the history of buildings. When in Vienna I would walk past buildings 500 years old. There is value to that. After the war buildings were rebuilt all over Europe exactly as they were before from blueprints or photographs. Yet, we in America are so money conscious that we erase our history to only be enjoyed through old books and pictures. Just because something is older doesn't mean it is worthless. Tell that to your grandparents.

They're building a $40 million dollar dorm too? Where do you people FIND this crap? I was unaware Glenn Beck did a conspiracy report about the University of Minnesota.