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11:21 AM
Here's an interesting update and pictures on the Rookery Building in Spokane.
Anybody know who is doing the demo work?
The commentary is interesting, I thought:
The gaping wound you see before you is the demo progress on what's left of Wendell Reugh's Rookery Block. The Rookery, mowed down in January, is now fill dirt, and the Mohawk is down to its remaining five floors. Wendell Reugh's demo crews are literally consuming this building from the inside-out. Day-by-day the space is changing, and opening up what is the historic heart of downtown (Howard & Riverside).
If there's a gesture Mr. Reugh could make, instead of plopping down the predictable surface parking lot, we'd like to see something different...how about a huge expansive patch of lawn with a few benches. Reclaim this as a pseudo-public space until it's redeveloped. Frisbee football anyone? Why not?
8:27 AM
Thanks for the update, James. Well, it looks like we know where this one is headed---snagged up in the technicalities.
It sounds like the $100,000 non-refundable deposit would be a deal breaker in almost any case, doesn't it?
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This past Monday was the deadline between the City of Spokane and Rookery Block owner Wendell Reugh has passed without leaders getting a successful purchase contract to save the block.
Spokane architect Ron Wells was the only person to submit a bid to help save the block from the wrecking ball by last Monday's deadline, but in a memo to the city council last Thursday, Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession told them there were some procedural questions that needed to be answered before the city could move forward on the deal.
Wells' proposal did not include a $100,000 non-refundable deposit, as requested by the city, nor did it include "a contract in the form proposed"
In Hession's memo Wells indicated he would have those issues cleared up by Monday, but during the council's weekly briefing session John Pilcher, director of economic development for the city, said there was no deal.
Monday was the deadline for the city to have a successful bid to save the Rookery Block from demolition.
4:45 PM
What's the status of this mess? anyone know what's going on there?
Demonstrators picketed yesterdday in front of two old downtown Spokane buildings that are slated for demolition.About two dozen people carried signs to protest the planned demolition of the Rookery Block.
Mayor Dennis Hession has said he will allow the demolition of the Rookery and Mohawk buildings to continue after efforts to line up a private buyer failed.
Owner Wendell Reugh (roo) says no one wanted to meet his six (m) million dollar asking price, so he'll continue to tear the buildings down and sell the land for future development.
Preservationists oppose the demolition, saying the buildings are historically significant to Spokane.
Reugh has to get rid of asbestos in the buildings before demolition can start, possibly as early as mid-July.
10:33 AM
Yeah, they actually started the demo earlier this year, and it was stopped after they knocked a big hole in the side wall.
The preservationists in Spokane are trying to save the block as "historic." If you are interested:
http://www.spokanepreservation.....ookery.htm
After the city withdrew its offer for a "friendly condemnation" of the block, negotiations between the owner and potential developers have fallen through, bringing the block much closer to demolition.
SPA, and especially the Advocacy Committee, has worked tirelessly on this issue for two years. The Advocacy Committee has re-nominated the Rookery and Mohawk buildings to the Washington Trust
[FONT=Verdana]Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession said on Monday that efforts to save the buildings by private interested have stopped. The Mayor said he informed the property owner Wendell Reugh that he would grant an extension to allow time to complete the demolition. The Mayor expects the demolition to begin no later than July 15.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]I can tell you this project has been going on for years now, due to asbestos, several different buyers.[/FONT]
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