Kenyon Hall will stand for a while longer.
This morning, Lyon County District Judge John Sanderson issued a temporary restraining order forbidding the demolition of the 1920s-era building. If a follow-up petition for judicial review is filed by the Lyon County Historical Society, the order will remain in force until Nov. 3, when the judge will hear arguments for a temporary injunction.
“I am very glad that, at least for the time being, Kenyon Hall is safe,” said Deborah Huth, attorney for the historical society.
Kenyon Hall is the former main building of the College of Emporia which closed in the 1970s. Markowitz-Mitchell LLC bought the building in February for $65,000 and later applied for a demolition permit. Earlier this month, the Emporia City Commission voted 3-2 to allow the permit, saying there were no feasible alternatives.
The building is not on the National Register of Historic Places, but nearby Anderson Library is. That gave the historical society an opening to sue, saying that the destruction of Kenyon Hall would harm the environs of the library.
This morning, Markowitz testified that it would take $5.5 million just to rehabilitate the outside of Kenyon Hall.
“To you, is it a viable alternative to refurbish the building?” asked Larry Putnam, the attorney representing Markowitz-Mitchell.
“We do not feel so at this time,” company co-owner Dave Markowitz said.
Markowitz said he had talked with a demolition contractor, but that a date had not been set. If the building were demolished, he said, every effort would be made to protect Anderson Library.
Huth asked whether other factors besides cost could determine whether a building should be saved or razed.
“Do you also have to consider the end use?” she asked.
“Yes,” Markowitz said.
“So you could safely state that, just because the cost of rehabilitation is a certain percentage of the purchase price, that it might not be the only factor in the decision?” she asked.
“It’s a major factor,” he said.
“It’s a major factor, but it’s not the only one?”
“I suppose it’s not.”
She also asked whether the company had received any offers. Markowitz said he hadn’t received any formal offers for the building, though he had had two telephone conversations with a Missouri developer named Steve Foutch. In the second call, Markowitz had suggested selling the building for $700,000 and was told “That’s out of line.”
Utilities were turned off in Kenyon Hall on Wednesday. The company does have other continuing costs, however, including mortgage payments and lawn care, that could have been partially covered by a damage bond. Markowitz also said he was concerned about continuing damage to the building if the process dragged out, such as lost shingles or falling pieces of concrete.
Putnam did not comment after the ruling.
“We’re not trying to cause Markowitz-Mitchell to lose money or not be gainfully employed,” said Greg Jordan of the Lyon County Historical Museum. “We’re just trying to find alternative uses for the building before it’s turned down.”
CharlesScott (anonymous) says...
Markowitz-Mitchell LLC bought the building in February for $65,000 which was very cheap
Markowitz had suggested selling the building for $700,000 and was told “That’s out of line.”
is out of line he hasn't done any improvement to the building still i belive if it was put on the market it could sell for as much
there is no reason for this building to be demolished true it needs alot of work but 5.5 mil there no way that is an off the wall amount thrown out bye someone trying to justify poor reasoning
the most costly repairs to this building would be the roof and if you were to use the same type of slate material it would cost $30,000 plus shipping because i belive the slate would have to come from California if i remember right when looking into it plus labor your looking at about $100,000 in repair to the roof
next would be the 4th floor of the building which is a very small room with a stage that could most likely be refurbished with less than $10,000 worth of materials the heating and electrical in this building is all in working order there is some plumbing work and a bit more electrical work that needs to be done a few rooms that need some plaster work and the adotorium needs a bit of work but all and all this building could be brought back up to shape and serving the community historically or actively on a much smaller budget then what he is making it out to be
i think what needs to be done is if he whants no part of the restoration of this building he needs to come to a conclusion as to how much he thinks his time put into this project proof of cost time and paid come to a price and sell it to someone who will
which wouldn't be in the ballpark of $700,000
o and btw i belive the community needs to come together on this if your not willing to let the fair ground be moved further outside of town were it should be anyway to let in a lowe's wich its going to happen anyway why let some small business owner destroy a part of your past and a beautiful building
p.s. the historical society had there chance when the last owner was selling it and why they didn't jump on to it tell it was to late is beyond me get it together
November 1, 2006 at 12:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )