Demolition contractor Brant Grimm told the Times-News Friday he expects to begin razing Rogersville’s historic Blue Spring House in three to four weeks. He said he said he’s willing to salvage the brick and some large timbers from the 175-year old structure, but that wasn’t part of his original plan.
On Tuesday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed to award the bid to demolish the Blue Spring House, which dates back almost 200 years, on East Main Street to Kingsport-based Grimm Construction for $23,900.
Source: Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, but you can still salvage the antebellum brick
Photo courtesy of Donald Brewer: The city landmarked Galbraith House has been approved for demolition. Earthwise will be reclaiming portions of the structure.
A memo attached to the agreement states controls and incentives were put in place after the designation, and Sound came back to the landmarks board in 2009 to ask for controls to be removed, “stating that demolition was necessary to generate a reasonable economic return on the property.”
Source: Historic Galbraith House coming down – Capitol Hill Times
Interior of the Lockridge Medical Clinic (photo by Adam Jeselnick)
“None of us are aware of why the owner changed his mind and moved up his demolition plans.” She added that Ruis had also rejected a request to salvage architectural elements, either prior to or during the demolition process.
Source: Developer Bulldozes Frank Lloyd Wright Building as Preservationists Rushed to Save It
The exterior of the Lockridge Medical Clinic, pre-demolition. (Courtesy Montana Preservation Alliance)
The FLWBC notes that this is the first viable, or mostly un-altered, Wright building to be torn down in 40 years, and that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The demolition was done by developer Mick Ruis in Whitefish, Montana.
Source: Frank Lloyd Wright building in Montana is demolished overnight – Archpaper.com
“The members of Preserve Historic Missoula and all those supporting the appeal to preserve the historic Mercantile building are profoundly disappointed in Judge Deschamps’ ruling to permit the demolition of Missoula’s most iconic commercial building,” Hall wrote. “We have appreciated this opportunity to express our concerns through the judicial system and its thoughtful consideration.”
Hall wrote that PHM has maintained that the deconstruction permit process for the Merc was flawed. In particular, they believe that the process followed by the city council did not comply with the Historic Preservation Ordinance. They have requested that the law be clarified. Hall said nearly 4,700 people signed their petition affirming that the Merc is worth saving.
Source: Update: Judge rules in favor of Merc demolition | Local | missoulian.com
The Historic Bell Tavern Building Michael Bupp – The Sentinal
“Whether intentional or by error in 1995, the Bell Tavern was not listed as an historic, protected building on the Township’s Cultural Features Map and Historic Buildings List referred to in our zoning ordinance. Based on that, the Township had to lift the stop-work order. Despite the lifting of the order, the developer has continued to suspend demolition, affording us the opportunity to engage in discussions about the preservation of the building.”
Source: Historic mistake for Silver Spring stone house | Mechanicsburg | cumberlink.com
Dew said the project’s price tag was too high, and that with little money available to cover the cost, the only option was “deconstructing” them. She said historic materials were salvaged from the buildings and are being stored for future use.
While Levine agreed that the restoration cost was high, he said that the town was bound by the easement to do it. He expressed frustration at the refusal of town officials to discuss the matter in any detail.
The Gurski Farm homestead with the adjacent barn in the background. State officials are questioning why some buildings on the town-owned property were taken down.
via Historic buildings on Brookfield farm razed; state wants to know why – NewsTimes.
The developer has been working on the deal since 2009 and wants to make room for a mixed use development.
“These are pretty significant, interesting buildings. I think properly restored and incorporated into the site, they would make Buckingham Palace look like a Burger King, they’re pretty neat buildings,” said Scott Jolliffe from the Calgary Heritage Authority.
via Controversy brewing over demolition of historic buildings | CTV Calgary News.
Reclamation Administration: News and Research on Building Material Waste Prevention