The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a River City newspaper:
“The Clio Development Group should not be permitted to build a multilevel parking garage on Dock Street since most of the buildings on the block would have to be demolished. Because these buildings were erected decades ago, they have historic significance and must therefore be preserved as economic assets in the effort to revitalize a restored riverfront area. Recall how Lakesburg has benefited from business increases in its historic downtown center. Moreover, there is plenty of vacant land for a parking lot elsewhere in River City.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
The writer suggests that Lakesburg has benefited greatly from its downtown revitalization, and that therefore the Clio Development Group should not be permitted to pave over the historic structures on Dock Street. The developers, however, were only permitted to use three of the streets in the historic district, and parking is still a problem. It is clear that the author favors the Clio Development Group’s project, and that his argument against demolishing the historic buildings is an emotional appeal to preservationists. The developer’s group acquired some land adjacent to Dock Street, but the new structure will be on that land, so there will be additional parking. The Clio Development Group plans to build 182 apartments, 63,000 square feet of commercial space, and a 150-room hotel. The developer’s group is hoping that these amenities will attract businesses to the downtown area. The Clio Development Group plans to lease office space on the first floor of the hotel, and the second and third floors will be leased to smaller businesses. The developers hope the apartments will be filled by young professionals, mostly students and recent college graduates
The writer argues that the historic buildings should be preserved. It is not clear, however, why these historic buildings are more important than the new ones, which are to be constructed on the adjacent land. The commercial buildings on Dock Street were built in the early twentieth century. The buildings on Olde Towne Square are older, dating from the Civil War era. The Clio Development Group’s developers argue that the historic buildings’ façades will be restored. If the façades are restored, then the building will retain its historic look. But, if the buildings are to be rebuilt, as seems likely, then their historic look will be lost
The writer points out that Lakesburg has benefited from its downtown revitalization. What the writer fails to mention, however, is that Lakesburg has benefited from the revitalization of its entire riverfront area. The riverfront area has benefited from the restoration of buildings, the rebuilding of bridges, the beautification of parks, and the construction of an amphitheater. The increased number of visitors contributes to the economic prosperity of the downtown area. The Clio Development Group’s project, if successful, will contribute to the revitalization of the entire riverfront area, and, hopefully, to the city’s economic prosperity
The writer argues that there are plenty of vacant lots for additional parking. The Clio Development Group’s developers, however, already own one of the lots that the city owns. If the Clio Development Group wanted additional parking, the group could purchase another city lot. The Clio Development Group’s developers, however, do not want to purchase additional lots. They prefer to build on the existing lots. The developers feel that only the three lots that they currently own are necessary. The developers also argue that they have already invested a great deal of money in the project. Their investment is money that they earned from selling property to the city of Lakesburg
If the Clio Development Group’s project is successful, then the downtown area of River City will prosper. If the project fails, then the downtown area of River City will suffer. The Clio Development Group’s developers say that they have spent $50 million on the project. The group’s loan will be paid back in five years. If the project succeeds, the group stands to make a large profit. If the project does not succeed, the investors will lose money. The Clio Development Group’s developers do not care whether the city benefits or not. The group is pursuing its personal interests. The Clio Development Group’s developers say that the project will bring about economic revitalization and that downtown River City will become a desirable place to live. The Clio Development Group is pursuing its own interests. The Clio Development Group’s investors should not object to the destruction of a few historic buildings. The Clio Development Group’s investors should be happy that the Clio Development Group has expended so much time and effort on a project that benefits the entire community.