LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Mayor Craig Greenberg floated the idea this week of a new owner for a historic downtown church complex slated for demolition.
A three-alarm fire damaged the former St. Paul’s German Evangelical Church on E. Broadway last October, burning most of the roof and exposing the building to the elements. The city later declared the site -- envisioned for an $80 million hotel and housing project – legally abandoned.
Earlier this month, an inspector found the property in “unsafe” and “unstable” condition and ordered emergency demolition work. The owner hasn’t submitted a wrecking permit, according to Metro government’s Department of Codes & Regulations.
“Right now it is not safe,” Greenberg told reporters on Tuesday. “But I also would like to preserve as much of that building as possible. We probably need to see a new owner of that property.”
Demolition opponents rallied Friday outside the former St. Paul's German Evangelical Church on E. Broadway (WDRB photo)
He suggested that the Broadway church could be salvaged much like parts of buildings on Main Street’s Whiskey Row were saved after they caught fire in 2015. Greenberg was a co-developer in that project revamping those historic structures.
“We were able to save some great historic buildings that were not in wonderful condition and restore them back to life with the great historic character that they had,” he said. “I'm hopeful that that can be the case at this property as well.”
Asked Thursday about any city-led efforts on the Broadway church’s future, Greenberg said he’s aware of talks about a potential sale occurring among private parties.
David Tandy, a Louisville attorney representing property owner KY Medical Center Hotel LLC, said the ownership group is in “ongoing discussions” on a possible acquisition.
“These conversations focus on both the development of alternative projects and the possibility of partnering to realize the original vision of a hotel and apartment complex on the site,” he said in emailed responses to questions.
Preservationists last week called for stabilizing the church building – not razing parts or all of it. Their attorney, Steve Porter, told city officials in a letter sent this week that they consulted an expert who did not observe safety concerns that would require an emergency demolition.
The letter also says his clients want Metro government to condemn the property and sell it to a buyer who will restore it.
“The owner is guilty of partial demolition by neglect in this case,” Porter wrote in the letter obtained by WDRB News, “but that does not justify an immediate full demolition.”
The city's Codes & Regulations Department declined comment on the letter.
Tandy said that "demolition by neglect" accusation against KY Medical Center Hotel LLC is “is patently false and deserves no additional response.”
An example of Gothic Revival architecture, St. Paul’s was built in 1906 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It has been listed as a local landmark since 1996.
A Metro-commissioned report found that the fire likely burned most of the roof framing of the historic church building, exposing it to rain “which will further accelerate the deterioration.”
A photo from a city-commissioned memo on the structural condition of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church (courtesy Metro government; Tetra Tech)
The December report by Tetra Tech, obtained through a public records request, determined the framing behind the façade on Broadway wasn’t affected by the fire, although it could worsen if left open to the elements.
The façade “appears to be relatively stable and feasible to save,” the report notes, encouraging further study that includes a detailed investigation by a façade specialist.
Experts noted “major safety concerns” inside the building and recommended that the rear portion of the church be razed. They found no apparent fire damage to a bell tower.
City officials initially said the owner had applied for a wrecking permit. But Emily Martin, a Codes & Regulations spokeswoman, said the owner’s contractor that inquired about applying for the permit later withdrew from the project.
She said the owners have not yet applied for the permit, which must happen within 10 days after a 24-hour period to respond to the emergency demolition order that was issued March 10. It appears that application must be filed by Friday.
If the permit isn’t submitted on time, Martin said “Metro will take further action.” She wasn’t able to immediately say what would happen at that point.
Metro officials previously said the vacant building had become a homeless encampment. The Louisville Fire Department still is investigating the fire, which did not cause any reported injuries.
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