South end landmark Colonial Gardens under demolition threat

http://www.historyandissues.org/louisvi ... .php?t=913

Please click the above link and read the forum thread about Colonial Gardens (corner of New Cut Road and Kenwood Drive in the South end) and its potential demolition. In the week of August 4, there will be a Metro Landmarks Commission hearing set to determine its ultimate fate. Once I have info on that, I'll send out a new communication.

I've also started a Facebook group dedicated to saving Colonial Gardens. Please join if you have the inclination.

Thank you for your consideration!

As a lifelong southender, who only recently escaped. I say let it go, the whole corner is blighted. I KNOW that the Olmsted group would like it gone.

As a lifelong southender, who only recently escaped. I say let it go, the whole corner is blighted. I KNOW that the Olmsted group would like it gone.

The building can be easily redeveloped without razing it. It could be combined with other development around it to make something really nice.

I would hope that South enders would start wanting to protect their heritage instead of erasing it.

I would hope that South enders would start wanting to protect their heritage instead of erasing it.

Does that include the mullet, tall mall hair and under-car neon?

I would hope that South enders would start wanting to protect their heritage instead of erasing it.

Does that include the mullet, tall mall hair and under-car neon?





(I don't think the Gardens should be torn down either, what a waste)

The costs to retask a substandard structure as this has led to the building sitting and rotting in it present condition. It is just cost prohibitive to reuse some of these places. I think the best use of the property would be to improve the intersection adding a right turn lane,drainage improvements & ADA compliant sidewalks. I have seen some great retasking of properties but this one is not really a good candidate for that. Even to save elements of the structure will be very difficult due to construction of the building.

This thing is shot.. they plan to replace with a replica so the corner will look much the same with a new building with better utility, too late for this structure and its not an efficient use of space to rehab it unless you think dance halls are coming back. I saw the plans and it looks great.

GG.

This thing is shot.. they plan to replace with a replica so the corner will look much the same with a new building with better utility, too late for this structure and its not an efficient use of space to rehab it unless you think dance halls are coming back. I saw the plans and it looks great.

GG.

Music venues are indeed coming back, and that's just one possible use for this property.

I would hope that South enders would start wanting to protect their heritage instead of erasing it.

Does that include the mullet, tall mall hair and under-car neon?

(I don't think the Gardens should be torn down either, what a waste)

It's up to every individual to preserve the mullet in south end culture.

The costs to retask a substandard structure as this has led to the building sitting and rotting in it present condition. It is just cost prohibitive to reuse some of these places. I think the best use of the property would be to improve the intersection adding a right turn lane,drainage improvements & ADA compliant sidewalks. I have seen some great retasking of properties but this one is not really a good candidate for that. Even to save elements of the structure will be very difficult due to construction of the building.

The building is mostly structurally sound, albeit with many cosmetic things to address. It can be refurbished and reused.

I was impressed with the architect's rendition of the proposed building...was it an attempt to placate the community or is the actual design subject to community approval...this was a first draft and things can change...the usual suspect being some sort of mini-mall concept...kudos to the neighborhood for speaking up and asking questions...while I'm in favor of preserving old buildings, a non-cookie-cutter design is also good....

Mari

Steve,
There's 4 feet of water in the basement that has been there for years, it's currently owned by a group from Atlanta with no hometown connections, we have a group of Southenders trying to buy it and fix up the corner with what looks like a good and viable plan. Unless you can write a check to rehab it, I suggest we go with their plan. In this kind of retail climate, you could easily wind up with a strip mall or CVS there, or worse it can just keep devolving until the place burns down or falls down. I'm all for preservation but this is not worth fighting for.

GG.

As a 10-year South-end resident I don't have any attachment to this ramshackle wood structure. I disagree that it could easily be rehabilitated given the current codes to be adhered to. From the lean on the place, it shouldn't take much more than a good shove from a payloader bucket to demolish it.

I only hope they don't run off the biker-bar. It adds a little class to the area.

Well, here's something those who want to get rid of the building may not realize: It's already on track for landmarking, and that process cannot be turned around at this point, no matter what anyone says or thinks. So, the neighborhood and the building's supporters will obviously have to come up with a plan for restoring it. I think many will accept this challenge. And the recent publicity should help the building's supporters find the resources to accomplish this task.

Yes, once the landmarks process begins, everything stops...I definitely enjoy the craftsmanship and solid-ness of old buildings, especially when compared to the construction of new buildings going up today, even ones that are supposed to 'look' old.

However...

A neighborhood is people and the life of the people in a community, not its buildings...sometimes an old building SHOULD be saved, but not always...if that corner remains derelict and vacant, then down the road we might ask ourselves if the right path was taken...

it's a tough call, and should involve community and discussions...

Mari