And no, we're not in Chicago — in fact, not many Southeast Texans have never been to Chicago. But that shouldn't matter. You don't have to live in New York to know that the Empire State Building is a famous landmark.
I grew up near Chicago. The Sears Tower is the first structure you can see approaching the city from miles away. It's the largest building in the country. And now, some British Insurance company is about to buy out office space, paying almost $15 per square foot. Who ever owns the most square feet of this building then gets to change the name of the building to their company's name.
So, if these Brits have their way on our land, BAM! Just like that, they get to rename it the Willis Tower.
It just doesn't roll off the tongue.
I'm not against anyone buying office space and creating jobs. No, the more jobs, the better. But to me, there should also be cultural aspects to be considered. The Sears Tower is a Chicago icon, shoot, as the tallest building in the country (and at one point, the tallest in the world), it's also a national icon.
A grassroots website has been set up as an attempt to let the Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. upper-ups know that we, the people, don't mind them conducting their business — we would just like them to keep the name Sears Tower.
www.itsthesearstower.com
I mean, come on...what if Best Buy bought the majority office space of the Empire State Building? Tourists flocking to the Big Apple to see the Best Buy Building just doesn't seem right.
And aliteration aside, it's also not right.
What do you think? Do you agree? Or do you say, who cares?
Grind that...and let me know!
Mike Tobias
Port Arthur News
Also, for a cool website that shows off and explains the history of the building's that held the title of 'World's tallest building," check out this link:
http://coolpics.110mb.com/coolpics/travel&locations/tallestbuildings.php
Posts
not many SETexans have been to Chicago? Wow, you must know a lot of us! You're right, I've never been. lol
ReplyDelete