Community rallies to save historic seminary building

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Link to Full Meeting

The Payson City Council meeting on November 11, 2024, focused on the preservation of the historic seminary building, which has been vacant since September 2022. Community members expressed a strong desire to transform the building into a museum dedicated to pioneer artifacts, highlighting its historical significance to the city.

A local resident, whose ancestor founded the city, shared their personal connection to the building and the community. They emphasized the importance of the structure, which is over 100 years old and has been recognized by the State Historical Society as a historical marker, protecting it from demolition. The resident noted that the building features unique artistic work by local artist Lucky Pickering, making it a valuable cultural asset.

Efforts to save the building have included petitions that garnered hundreds of signatures from citizens, as well as outreach to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the building's current owners. The community has requested to lease or receive the building as a gift, but the church's real estate department has expressed a preference for demolition due to financial considerations.

Despite these challenges, the resident remains committed to finding a solution, having consulted with historical organizations and gathered community support. The council's discussions underscored the importance of preserving local history and the need for continued advocacy to secure the future of the seminary building.

Converted from 11 06 2024 CC Video meeting on November 11, 2024
Link to Full Meeting