Cultural Resources Office Director Kathleen Shea has now posted her recommendation to the Preservation Board for the demolition of the former DeVille Motor Hotel and its replacement by a parking lot. Shea seems ambivalent about the Archdiocese's proposal. Meanwhile, opposition to the demolition grows. Since the DeVille's architect was Charles Colbert of New Orleans, the New Orleans architectural community is stirred up. The Board of Directors of the New Orleans chapter of the American Institute of Architects sent a plea to the St. Louis Preservation Board. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is also opposed. Long engaged in the struggle, Landmarks Association of St. Louis sent a note to members this week urging them to send letters to the Preservation Board and Alderwoman Lyda Krewson (D-28th).
Fliers are circulating around the Central West End with information about the demolition. Many Central West End residents oppose the demolition, while many also simply object to the proposal that a prominent corner in the city's poster neighborhood for urban living be occupied by a parking lot.
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"This per square foot estimate is based solely upon staff familiarity with rehabilitation costs for
historic buildings which typically run between $150.00 to $225.00 per square foot. This kind of
cost analysis usually assumes rehabilitation of buildings which are constructed upon an entirely
different model, and assumes retention of most exterior wall and framing systems"
Yet they still boldly throw out the $43 mil rehab cost?
Who wrote this report? It seems entirely slanted towards the insignificance of the building and its poor condition. Will the archdiocese defer maintenance on the surface lot like they deferred maintenance on the DeVille?
Do they think we're idiots? Rehab is expensive... duh. Countless formerly-vacant buildings in St. Louis were in FAR worse shape, and have been successfully restored. Of course the building needs work, that's what REHAB means.
Probably.
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