Preservation Board Allows Demolition in The Ville, Reviews Art Museum Expansion
June 26, 2008
At its regular meeting Monday, June 23, the St. Louis Preservation Board met with members John Burse, Richard Callow (chairman), Alderman Terry Kennedy and Anthony Robinson present. Good news came for the two-story commercial building at 4477 Olive Street in the Central West End Historic District, whose owners were seeking demolition to allow for expansion of the adjacent Youth Technology Education Center (YTEC). Two months ago, the board voted to defer consideration of the demolition application to give the Central West End Association time to negotiate with YTEC and the building's owners. The negotiations are going so well that the owners asked the Board to let the demolition application drop; the application is now deferred indefinitely.
The Board unanimously agreed to allow Jesus Christ Temple of Deliverance demolish a two-story residential building at 4568 St. Ferdinand Avenue in The Ville Local Historic District to expand the church and create green space. Previously, in April, the Board had denied the application. However, Cultural Resources Office Director Kathleen Shea subsequently determined the building ineligible for any National Register of Historic Places historic districts.
The Board also reviewed the proposed addition to the St. Louis Art Museum. The Board had no regulatory role on the matter, but under the Art Museum's lease is required to review all proposed construction for the museum. Board members were favorable toward the plans.