Here We Go Again

[Sewickley Rifle]

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting a proposal for a new development in the Gettysburg area. Developers are proposing to build a water park on a 162-acre farm 4 miles from Gettysburg in Cumberland Township. While this may not be as onerous as a casino, its effects cannot be good for the historic area. Since it is probably viewed as "family friendly" this development may be more difficult to oppose than the casino.

Since I can't figure out how to link the article, interested readers may go to The Pittsburgh Post Gazette web site: http://www.post-gazette.com.

Thoughts? Comments?

Thank you

Bill Ebner

[ContinentalMorganGuard]

Re: Here We Go Again

Here's the link to the story.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07305/830363-100.stm

[Jimmayo]

No worse than Camp Letterman

Target is going to move the monument to the back of the Camp Letterman site and build a store there. The story is in this months CW news.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Here We Go Again

Great, now everyone can "take-in the ever-so-lovely waterpark" with the event weekends that happen there... gawd.

I love the Gettysburg area and the surrounding farms/natural beauty.

There has got to be a way to get the surrounding area of Gettysburg designated as a world heritage site. In Germany (where developers would LOVE to pounce on any undeveloped land if they are allowed to since new jobs/economic opportunity are both scarce there) the UNESCO (http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/us) declares many sites as having historical/cultural importance to mankind. This protects the area that is declared from development as well as attracts international money to defend the site from future destruction.

I don't know the practicalities of it, but it's a thought for Gettysburg and its surrounding area - international historical/cultural recognition...? Just how big that area would be is questionable, though.

If Independence Hall and Montecello can make it on the list, then why not Gettysburg?

I think with Gettysburg, while not just being a historically-important area to Americans, one could argue the area is extremely important to world history- both political and military. Arguably, due to the battle, the US was allowed to rise as a world power and think of the effects in later generations that it had worldwide.

It still effects us today.

-Johnny

[csuniforms]

Re: Here We Go Again-Money Makes the World Go Round.

I understand that the Water Park is to built next to Boyd's Bears. Boyds Bears!!! what can I say. At least Boyds has an interest in the Civil War. The powers that be can build a water park in a million different places within 25 miles from Gettysburg-- a twenty minute drive to the Park. Why do they have to build right on the edge? Whats wrong with Maryland? or York or Chambersburg?

I am afraid that this present day Battle for Preservation will be going on for a very long time as long as someone can make a dollar$$$$

Tom Arliskas
Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown
CS Uniforms

[jigadier brindle]

Re: Here We Go Again

Mr. Lloyd,

The world heritage status is a nice thought - however local land use laws and comprehensive planning as well as property rights would trump most of what you speak about. It takes firm committment from the local level to stop such horrors.


-Nicholas Redding

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Here We Go Again

Nicholas-

My thought was: "Any ammunition in a fight going downrange is still lead being shot at the enemy... and they might be on-target if we're lucky."

Before our local/national governments dis-count using the world heritage message, it SHOULD be explored as a viable option and not thrown away on its face value.

Unfortunately, if America wants to save ANY historical lands from destruction, we're going to have to rethink our country's ideas of "private property"...
...I know, I know... it smacks of "European-style socialism", but if we left it up to the private sector and Gettysburg would have already been a Wal-Mart!
In this case, I'm more afraid of the private sector's use/abuse of land than the public trust.


-Johnny

[Dignann]

Re: Here We Go Again

Press Release

Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association

Dec. 2 2007--The Target store chain is talking out of both sides of its mouth in dealing with the growing controversy over its plans to pave over a large portion of the remaining Camp Letterman field hospital site on Route 30 in Gettysburg.

Kathi Schue, president of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association today said that in e-mail response to complaints about the chain store’s plans for the Letterman site, a company spokeswoman claims it has “no concrete plans at this time for this location,“ Metro Commercial Real Estate is advertising for stores to locate to the proposed “Gettysburg Station” shopping center anchored by a Target store.

In the e-mail response, the corporate official is identified as Jennifer Hanson, but no title is given other than she is with “Target Executive Offices.”

The Metro Commercial web site touts “Explosive Growth at the Intersection of 2 Major Highways.”

The center would obliterate a large portion of the massive field hospital site where thousands of Union and Confederate wounded and dying were treated after the epic 1863 battle.

In addition to claiming it does not have firm plans for the site, the Hanson communication says that the Letterman site “was first developed 40 years ago, and currently operates as a mobile home park.“ Only a part of the 32-acre site was a mobile home park.

“That shows either how little the Target executive know about the Letterman site or how far they’re willing to twist the facts,” said Schue. “Much of the camp area remains undeveloped and the trailer park covered only a small slice of the site.”

The Target proposal includes an entranceway that would require the relocation of the Camp Letterman monument erected in 1914 by the Army of the Potomac Medical Department.

The GBPA is leading an effort to preserve the most historically important portions of the Camp Letterman site from the two-prong threats of residential and commercial development.

“We realize that development is going to take place on a large portion of the remaining Letterman site,” said Schue. ”We’re merely asking Target and the residential and commercial development parties to refrain from destroying a couple portions that we believe that concerted archeological studies would prove are historically significant and are part of the ‘hallowed ground‘ of Gettysburg where men of the North and South suffered and died for what they believed in.

“We’re not trying to stop development, but to make sure it is historically prudent development.”

The GBPA is continuing to build its campaign to get Target and the residential and commercial developers to show historic responsibility and patriotism in their approach to the sensitive area of Camp Letterman.

Schue said that thus far, the campaign is centering on petitions and letter and e-mail communications to the commercial and residential development companies and potential site occupants. Schue said additional tactics are being developed contingent on the responses they receive.

Persons wishing to help in the preservation can contact GBPA at www.gbpa.org or by mail at P.O. Box 4087, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

(Press release GBPA)


Eric

[Michael Comer]

Re: Here We Go Again

I don't shop at Target because they support a number of political and social issues that I disagree with and I don't particularly like their corporate mind-set. Chalk up one more reason for me to stay out of their stores.

[ILYankee5]

Re: Here We Go Again

“We’re not trying to stop development, but to make sure it is historically prudent development.”

I am not quite sure if I like the sound of this. Someone help me out, what is "historically prudent development" on a battlefield? Target, in an 1800's style store where the employees wear uniforms and civilian dress? I am starting to get these images of Franklin TN in my head. I hope this isn't the case.

Seth Graves

[Dignann]

Re: Here We Go Again

Someone help me out, what is "historically prudent development" on a battlefield?

Perhaps what she really meant was "historically sensitive development." It is possible. Through imaginative design, maybe Target could avoid a few of the more sensitive areas and still accomplish its goal.

It's too bad some preservation group, such as the GBPA, didn't buy this tract a long time ago. If I remember correctly, there's been a "For Sale" sign on it for many years. Working with Target, the township, and the county, is now probably the best way to preserve even a small part of the camp.

Eric

[ILYankee5]

Re: Here We Go Again

That is sad that this wasn't bought. I didn't know a for sale sign sat on it for so long. I agree though some of the sensitive areas could be preserved. I am surpised the Federal Government has not done anything either to try to purchase the land. But the best hope is an organization such as the Preservation groups or the town itself. Everytime I hear of something like this it hurts me. Lord willing and with support of preservationist across the country, maybe a portion of this hallowed ground can be saved.

Seth Graves

[nastt]

Re: Here We Go Again

Target stores do not support Veterans Group, they turned them down wanting to setup tables in front of their stores to support their needs in donations for children or disabled veterans. They decided to correct the politics game and go anti-patriotic, so I'll boycott them for life. Gettysburg is history and should never be scared with corporate gain.

[DJCasey]

Re: Here We Go Again

Target stores do not support Veterans Group, they turned them down wanting to setup tables in front of their stores to support their needs in donations for children or disabled veterans. They decided to correct the politics game and go anti-patriotic, so I'll boycott them for life. Gettysburg is history and should never be scared with corporate gain.

Target also does not allow Salvation Army bell ringers at Christmas time.

[Dignann]

Re: Here We Go Again

Target stores do not support Veterans Group...

I don't necessarily support Target's plans at Gettysburg, but it appears that the whole "Target is unpatriotic and does not support veterans" thing is a bit over-stated, and is even addressed on Snopes.com

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/target.asp

It is true, however, that they don't allow the Salvation Army to ring its bell in front of their stores, but then again they don't allow anyone to solicit.

Eric