801 BAM Celebrates Art, Discusses Downtown Development IMAGES

Utilizing Ashville, N.C., as a comparison city, Minicazzi emphasized how the phenomenon of spreading to the suburbs adversely impacted tax bases and infrastructure maintenance.

Cities , such as Huntington, have not "lost population," it has shifted to the county., Minicazzi said.

Using a value per acre formula, he demonstrated how historic , tall structures designed to last generations override the depreciation of Wal Mart styled shopping center buildings with fifteen year life spans.

His presentation in which Bre Shell, city planner, assisted, demonstrated that the epic centers for economic development remain downtown areas. He termed the demolition of valued , historic buildings as decisions that have "lost civilizations" to parking lots.

Interestingly, repurposed mixed use already existing multi-story buildings bring the largest economic returns. The presentation glowingly described the economic returns on such Huntington high rises as the St. James and WV Building.

Instead of new structures, the architect recommended that Huntington focus on the "potency of what you already have," suggesting that an empty church could become an acoustic configured music hall.

He described incorporation of the Huntington "floodwall" as "tricky," suggesting that other projects be tackled first. The wall presents challenges of "crossing the road" and requires "creative ways of access."

Besides boosting tax base through rehabilitated multi-story buildings, artistic uses invite the further development of tourism.