Any day now we’ll probably &045; finally &045; be hearing some more concrete plans for developing the old high school in downtown Albert Lea. While interest in the building’s future isn’t the first or most important topic in most conversations, it does come up fairly often. People are both curious and concerned.

I’m not blessed with special insight as to what those plans might be, but from time to time I have seen suggestions show up in letters or editorials. Many people are concerned about the Cap Emmons Auditorium. I’ve also heard the hints from the current owner about turning the complex into senior housing.

Well, my arrogance compels me to offer some suggestions of my own. I have nothing against more housing for senior citizens, but I think the classroom sections of the building would provide a prime downtown location for mixed-income, intergenerational condominiums. Even after the ugly modern addition on the west side is removed, it contains enough space for several residences. The structure boasts an architectural style that many people find appealing, and it has many sought-after amenities, like solid hard wood floors, an indoor swimming pool and a gym.

But the complex of buildings doesn’t have to be used just for housing. The modern section on the eastern side of the building, which used to contain the industrial technology classrooms and district offices, could be turned into a larger, and more easily accessible, public library. The current library isn’t big enough to handle the demand, but given current economic realities, a completely new building is definitely out of the question. Renovation isn’t always the cheapest alternative to new, and the possibility of a library in that location would depend on the costs, but it’s definitely worth looking into.

The only part of the structure I don’t have much hope for is the Cap Emmons Auditorium. It’s a wonderful facility, but without someone who has the energy (and money) to promote its use as a concert venue or a convention site, maintaining and operating it is likely to be a huge problem.

But let’s get back to the housing issue. I’ve heard the suggestions about turning the building &045; as well as the Lea Center on the east side of downtown &045; into more senior housing, but I guess I don’t think creating more ghettos for old people &045; however posh or deluxe they might be &045; leads to a healthier community. We need housing for all sorts of residents (and potential residents) in this community:

&045; families with children

&045; single people of all ages

&045; newlyweds who are just beginning their lives together

&045; retirees who are spending their twilight years together

Why can’t people of different generations live together in the same building? I realize that the trend for the past 30 years has been in the other direction. More and more housing for retirees and seniors is being built that is segregated from the buildings and neighborhoods where children live. In many places, like my old home state of Arizona, whole communities have developed where children are banned from living, where grandparents have to get permission from their neighbors before they can invite their grandchildren to spend the night at their home. I don’t think that we are anywhere near that sort of extremism here, but putting too much focus on housing for one group of people in the community is not healthy.

Sunday’s Tribune pointed out how the new Adult Day Center at St. John’s has plans for intergenerational activities involving seniors and preschoolers from the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center. This is a great idea, but what about the buildings and neighborhoods in which we live? Why not work on making the whole community more intergenerational?

I’ll be the first to admit that my suggestion has its drawbacks. For one, it probably limits the amount of profit the developer can claim. But just maybe we could find a way for developers, bankers and organizations like Habitat for Humanity to work together so that we end up with housing that encourages diversity &045; in terms of ages, incomes and ethnicity &045; and that helps us both save a part of our history and create an even better hometown for ourselves and our children.

David Rask Behling is a rural Albert Lea resident. His column appears Tuesdays.