tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post8711235430496451894..comments2024-01-31T12:49:08.701-08:00Comments on STL Rising: What good is vacant and deteriorating?Rick Bonaschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10825477678253483191noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-65962175605066328712009-06-23T10:53:15.099-07:002009-06-23T10:53:15.099-07:00It is not reversible once the decay has reached th...It is not reversible once the decay has reached the point of no return. The architect for the AD made that case about the San Luis.<br /><br />It would be easy to make the same case for the Avalon. Watch McEagle offer similar justification on NorthSide holdings. <br /><br />It takes years for neglect to reach the point of requiring demolition.<br /><br />What happens in the meantime is critical. When the San Luis started its downhill slide, the building was slowly emptied out.<br /><br />From the testimony of the applicant, the drain lines had never seen much maintenance or repair for the life of the structure.<br /><br />All of us living in old buildings know these ongoing repairs and maintenance are essesntial.<br /><br />The worst of the worst shows up for demolition - caved in walls due to lack of gutter maintenance, etc.<br /><br />But its the basic systems of plumbing, electic, windows, heat/ac that start the cycle of decline. In many cases, the owners of buildings lack the financial resources to properly maintain their property. <br /><br />Strict code enforecement, penalties for non-maintenance, occupancy inspections and renewed permits between tenancies, and court ordered maintenance are some alternatives to watching a building slowly rot. <br /><br />Does the Avalon need a new roof? Would a judge so order? Is there money to make the temporary or more major repairs? Lien the property for the cost of repair followed by a sheriff sale to satisfy the judgement. <br /><br />We need to look at more creative ways to protect neighborhoods and our building stock. While wielding more ammunition to enforce building maintenance, ideally there would be some help for owners of buildings finding themselves in a troubled property/maintenance nightmare situation.Rick Bonaschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10825477678253483191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-46341368249674526762009-06-23T10:28:33.596-07:002009-06-23T10:28:33.596-07:00Vacant and deteriorating is reversible; demolition...Vacant and deteriorating is reversible; demolition is not.<br /><br />Advocates for preservation know this and feel it's a priority to allow the building to remain. In the case of the San Luis, there was an interested developer. The City should not make demolition so convenient for a developer. The message I have gotten from this controversy is that if I have enough power and influence, I can insist on demolition-by-neglect if not outright demolition and achieve the same result. This undermines ANY act of preservation.Matt M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09279246676749137494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-89910216405881699922009-06-23T10:00:46.530-07:002009-06-23T10:00:46.530-07:00Very astute observation.Very astute observation.Mark Grothhttp://stlcitytalk.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com