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Historical studies give green light for demolition of downtown SLO buildings: Officials expect it'll be a couple of years before the complex breaks ground
Nov 20, 2008 (The Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Although Copeland Properties received the tentative go-ahead Tuesday to demolish two buildings to make way for the Chinatown Project in downtown San Luis Obispo, it is expected to be a couple years before the complex breaks ground.
And don't expect the wrecking ball to start taking down the structures that have been at issue for two years in the block between Morro, Palm, Chorro and Monterey streets for another couple years.
The City Council decided 4-1 to approve the historical studies reports that will allow the developer to tear down the Blackstone Hotel and Sauer Bakery at Chorro and Monterey streets to build the hotel, retail and residential complex.
But that will not happen until permits are granted and construction begins.
"Being such a large site, how that gets staged would still have to be determined," said Palm Ricci, a city senior planner.
As part of its decision, the council also decided that it wants the Sauer Bakery oven saved in place and the developer to reuse historic bricks from the Blackstone, which were made in the brickworks of the city's Chinatown founder, Ah Louis.
The two buildings date from the late 1800s. Both have been remodeled so many times that they have lost their historic significance, according to a consultant commissioned by the Copelands.
The city's own consultant stated that the Blackstone did contain a significant Streamline Moderne faAade from an early 20th century remodel, but the council chose to agree with the Copeland report and its own city staff.
The decision came after a procession of Save Our Downtown members got up and decried the potential destruction of the buildings, saying such a cavalier attitude toward history will destroy what makes the city special.
Councilwoman Christine Mulholland, the sole vote in opposition, praised the history available in the report but stressed she never supported destroying the historic buildings. Councilman Andrew Carter voted with the majority, saying that the two buildings in question are in such poor shape they "are unfortunately already lost."
Carter challenged the Copeland Properties and its architect, Mark Rawson, saying he had "a question in the back of my mind about whether you can give us a project for the ages."
Rawson said Wednesday that he did not know exactly when the project might be in place and in use.
"That's the crystal ball question," he said. "There are a lot of factors to consider, the economy, financing. It would be a couple of years before we would break ground."
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