[pj3000]

^ I have a feeling that there was no architect involved in that design (like many unfortunate buildings in downtown Erie).

Yes, the old city hall was beautiful, as was the original federal courthouse and post office across the street (a victim of the WPA in the 1930s). The long list of grand buidlings that Erie has lost is a travesty. Many were torn down in the name of "progress" in the 1930s, but far more were lost to the parking lot/low rise in the 1970s ad 80s (when Erie lost 45,000 of its population)... including six buildings 10 or more stories tall! - City Hall, Federal Building, Central High School, Lawrence Hotel, Commerce Bldg., Ariel Bldg.


That book "Lost Erie" is a very interesting, but sad look at the city. Erie's downtown used to be ridiculously dense and full of life (in the 1940s Erie's central business district was said to be second only to Philadelphia in terms of downtown vibrancy in PA; due largely to downtown Pittsburgh's extreme air pollution during that decade).

But, it is getting better. Growing up there in the late 70s, 80s, and early 90s, downtown was a dangerous cesspool. Residential development plans look great and ground has actually been broken on a couple of projects... never thought I'd see the day.