LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled a historic building in downtown Louisville can be torn down.
Last year, a judge ruled the Odd Fellows building, which sits on the corner of 3rd Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard, couldn't be demolished. It was built in the late 1800s.
It was given a historical landmark designation in 2019 following a review by the Landmarks Commission that was requested by Metro Council. The Louisville Historic League said "there was overwhelming community support of preserving Liberty Hall with no public opposition," during the review process of the building.
But the building's owner, the Omni Hotel, wants to tear it down. In 2019, hotel officials said in a statement that they could build "an indoor/outdoor entertainment area that better utilizes that valuable downtown space." However, there have been no proposals submitted to the city.
After two years of back and forth, Metro Council voted in 2021 to strip the building's historic landmark designation, which would've allowed the Omni Hotel to move forward with demolition. The Historic League sued to overturn that decision, and a judge sided with the league and reversed Metro Council's resolution.
The court of appeals ruled it shouldn't be deemed a landmark pursuant to a Louisville ordinance.
Related Stories:
- Historic Odd Fellows building in downtown Louisville can't be torn down, judge rules
- Historical League appeals Metro Council vote to strip Odd Fellows building of landmark designation
- Metro Council votes to strip Odd Fellows Building of historical landmark designation
- Historical League rallies to prevent demolition of Odd Fellows building in downtown Louisville
- Louisville residents say demolishing historic Odd Fellows building would waste taxpayer dollars
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