Let's take another long look at St. Catherine's

McCOOK, Nebraska -- It may be too late. There may be no hope. But before the wrecking ball swings, pulverizing the brick walls of the historic St. Catherine's of Siena Hospital, let's take a long, penetrating look at every possibility for saving the large, aged structure in northwestern McCook.

Yes, there are formidable challenges. There's no question about that. Otherwise the Romanoff family, who saved many declining McCook structures in days gone by, would have stepped up, remodeling the steadily deteriorating St. Catherine's Apartments rather that closing the rambling buildings because of condemnation fears.

But -- despite the very obvious concerns about St. Catherine's condition -- the urgent need for additional housing in McCook makes another educated, analytical look at St. Catherine's renovation potential worthy of our time, talent and treasure.

Just fancy words, you say? Maybe. But before giving up on the possibility entirely, I'd like you to think about a couple of things.

First, look across town at what the McCook Housing Agency did to put the old Valentine (East Ward) school property to such good, long-lasting use. Thanks to the housing board and staff's vision, 32 people now have nice, comfortable places to live.

Second, remember Alvina Becker, a real estate woman who worked diligently to get things done in McCook during her time as a marketer of homes, farms and businesses. "Never give up on a building," Alvina told me. "There are always possibilities."

Alvina's passion for renewal was inspired by a relative of hers in Seattle, who made millions buying and fixing up old, downtown buildings. "Where others saw old, dilapidated buildings, he saw renewal potential," she said.

"He saw the walls, almost all made of bricks or reinforced concrete, and thought about what it would cost to construct anything of similar strength and quality today."

Almost always, Alvina told me, his belief was that it was more economical and eventually profitable to renew rather than rebuild.

All this being said, I must admit -- as you already knew -- that I don't know diddly squat about renovating buildings or the amount of risk money necessary to make a good return on a St. Catherine's remodeling project.

I'm just a sentimental sort who holds hope that there is some one or some group with enough ideas, enough expertise, or enough money to invest in the renewal of St. Catherine's of Siena Hospital.