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Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

I believe it was my first year in Albert Lea that I wrote a story after taking tours through the upstairs floors of several downtown buildings.

At that time — I think it was 2007 — many of the upstairs floors I saw were unused and several had not been updated for decades, as was evidenced by the dated flooring and wall coverings. Some buildings told even more history through signs and doors that had been there in the past and still remained.

I think it’s fair to say at that time that many of the buildings I looked at needed some attention and resources, but, oh, the potential was great.

To this day, I am in awe to see these spectacular buildings and uncover their stories from decades long ago. Though some of the ones I toured weren’t in the greatest condition, I could envision what they could become or once were — and ever since then, I’ve been hooked.

Any chance I can take, I love to tour our downtown buildings and see what once was, what is there now and dream about what could someday come when buildings are revitalized to make way for the future.

These buildings say a lot about our lives — not only in the technology of the time and how things were built, but also in what business and entertainment were like in the past compared to what they are today.

In many cases, these historical buildings had intricate details, not like you would see in today’s construction.

In the years since I wrote that story, I have been proud to see some of these buildings I toured for that article get new life in their upper floors.

These buildings now house space for apartments and some will soon hold businesses.

Others still remain empty or are used for storage as their owners continue to seek resources and the means to bring their buildings back to the glory state of their prime.

Seeing all the growth that has taken place in our downtown in the last 18 years, and all of the buildings that have gotten new life, it is hard to see when buildings on the other end have gone too far past the point of saving.

I never did get the opportunity to see inside the former Broadway Theater, which the Albert Lea City Council voted to abate on Monday. The vote essentially declared the property as hazardous and allowed them to begin to prepare to demolish the building.

From all of us lovers of old buildings, it is sad to see the vote take place, but I hope it also serves as a reminder that these buildings, just like our own homes, need to be taken care of.

While it’s too late for the Broadway Theater building, I hope people will keep in mind their memories of the building as we cross our fingers that the space will be put back to good use in the future.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Wednesday.