argument issue

The following is taken from the editorial section of the local newspaper in Rockingham.
"In order to save a considerable amount of money, Rockingham's century-old town hall should be torn down and replaced by the larger and more energy-efficient building that some citizens have proposed. The old town hall is too small to comfortably accommodate the number of people who are employed by the town. In addition, it is very costly to heat the old hall in winter and cool it in summer. The new, larger building would be more energy efficient, costing less per square foot to heat and cool than the old hall. Furthermore, it would be possible to rent out some of the space in the new building, thereby generating income for the town of Rockingham."

ESSAY
Rockingham’s town hall may be a century old, but the author’s assumption that by replacing the building with a larger and more energy-efficient building, the city will save a considerable amount of money, is highly unsubstantiated and indicates a very superficial knowledge of the stated matter. This is a classic example of confusing co-relation with causation. While high cost may be related to the old design and less efficiency of the town hall, it is very well possible that there may be many more significant causes of high expenditure of the town hall building.
The first claim I put forward to refute the author’s argument is the absence of sufficient data regarding the demographic statistics of the region and whether or not a larger area is available in the neighborhood for the expansion of the town hall. There may exist other fully-functional buildings which may not allow any seizure of their property for the convenience of the town hall.

The author also fails to mention the features of the present town-hall that make it consume more energy. Without adequate data, it seems that even though the author feels that the energy requirements of the building are high, it might be very efficient in the view point of others who work for its maintenance. After all, it has stood there for a century. Without the electricity bills, the water consumption bills, the yearly repairs statistics, the seasonal costs in heating and cooling the building, the author’s argument may not be a validated one.

It has been mentioned in the argument that a few people have proposed to exterminate the old building. But it may very well be possible that many other citizens and also the people who work at town hall are against the idea. The building was has stood there since a hundred years. There may be some aesthetic and traditional values attached with the building. Some very historical decisions may have been made at that site. It might hold a sentimental and patriotic interest in the minds of many people. It is advisable that a strict survey of the locality and concerning authorities is carried out before arriving at any conclusion.

Also, there is no data provided to let the readers know that what will make the new building more energy-efficient. It is very important to take the construction material and engineering designs in consideration. There is a possibility that the whole idea of bringing down the town hall and constructing another state-of-the-art building according to the present day standards may be a very costly affair. The entire costs involved in executing the idea should be estimated and then only a logical and cautious decision should be taken. The author must provide profound details about each and every cost involved.

As far as the renting of space in the new town hall is concerned, once again it depends whether it is feasible to have enough space in the new building to make it more comfortable for the existing employees, and at the same time be left with extra space to have it rented.

Despite the flaws in the author’s argument, it might be a just idea to have a new building constructed in place of the old dilapidated town hall. But all this is possible only if we are provided with adequate data and information. Otherwise this new idea can be a threat to the Rockingham’s saving account.