As a longtime admirer of the Skowhegan redevelopment successes, the article regarding the millions of dollars being sought to repair the Solon Manufacturing building following the tremendous damage from the early January flooding of the Kennebec, I was left scratching my head (“Skowhegan mill redevelopment halts after flood damage, owners urgently seek public loans,” Jan. 20). Nowhere was there mention of plans to redesign the lowest level to accommodate future flooding which most certainly will be a reality given climate change.

Imagine my surprise to turn a page to be met with the Our View editorial questioning whether to rebuild or relocate in light of the world’s new reality. How timely!

The project proposed for the Solon building is an ambitious one, but would be a magnificent reuse of a carefully and well-built historical structure.

One would imagine, though, that lenders might more readily rush to offer new funds if presented with a well-engineered plan for flood water mitigation.

Keep up the great work Skowhegan! You are surely on the right track.

Ann Roberts

Whitefield