Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation Demolition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Webster Groves preservation panel tables demolition request for Lure Library
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission voted to table Webster University's request for a certificate of appropriateness to pursue demolition of the Lure Library at 455 E. Lockwood Ave., asking the university to provide detailed adaptive-reuse studies and demolition cost estimates within 30 days; the public hearing will remain open.
The Webster Groves Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 11 voted to table a request from Webster University seeking permission to pursue demolition of the Lure Library at 455 East Lockwood Avenue, citing insufficient documentation on adaptive reuse and demolition costs.
Carol Denke, vice chair of the commission, moved to delay the certificate-of-appropriateness request for 30 days so the university could provide more detailed information; the motion, amended to keep the public hearing open, passed by voice vote. "I'll make a motion to request a 30 day delay, while we table the demolition request for 455 East Lockwood Avenue," Denke said.
Evan Winkler, the city's staff planner, had earlier explained the commission's role under local ordinance and said staff could not recommend approval or denial without additional materials. "At this time, staff cannot make a recommendation to approve the demolition of this structure," Winkler told commissioners, citing the building's contribution to the local historic district and the need for clarity about future land use.
Webster University representatives said they were not committing to immediate demolition but sought the option so the property could be marketed; Ryan Elliott, the university's vice president of facilities and operations, said the university had pursued multiple adaptive uses that proved infeasible and that some appraisals indicated the site's highest and best use might be as a cleared lot. "We're not planning the demolition of the building. We're determining if demolition is possible as we pursue options to sell," Elliott said.
Public commenters and several commissioners pressed for more rigorous professional feasibility studies and a demolition cost estimate before any certificate of appropriateness is granted. City attorney Neil Bruntrager reminded the applicant that "the burden of proof is on them" under the ordinance and that the commission must be convinced the statutory criteria are met.
The commission will reconvene consideration of the application after the applicant submits the additional materials requested by staff and commissioners.
