Not originally constructed as a library. Too hot in summer. No windows. Books would get covered in soot in winter. Flooded. Wasn't safe for the public to even be in.

Lovely as it looks here, in historical terms 75 years old is last week. My town is demolishing a 117 year old cinema to make way for flats, and nobody gives it a second thought.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Most likely because old buildings are expensive to maintain, expensive to heat, must be refitted for modern lights or communication or have asbestos or lead pipes or don't comply with modern building standards, such as accessibility.

There is this old cinema from the 1920s in my town that went out of business in the 1990s. Nobody goes to the cinema anymore to fill the 300 seats, it's a 20min walk away from residential areas and there is no parking nearby. On top of that it needs 30 years of maintenance. Nobody has a good business plan for this building.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Is twenty minutes too long to walk?

[–] Wizard_Pope 22 points 5 days ago (1 children)

It is for ameircans

[–] dellish 14 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Y'all need to walk more! 20 min is only about 2 km, or 1.4 miles in funny units. That's not far man.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

It's not far but our cities are not designed to be walked. There's very likely no footpath at all and would require walking on dangerous roads or through private property which isn't allowed

[–] Wizard_Pope -3 points 4 days ago

I know it isnt. I have no issue walking 20 minutes. Also not american myself.

[–] Wolfram 12 points 4 days ago

As an American who's gone to walkable cities, no. Non-walkable cities, yes.