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Historic Burton building faces demolition
(by Mike Klimko - January 05, 2011)
Historic Burton building faces demolition
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Burton Village officials soon may get a better idea of the fate of a 144-year-old building that served as the village's first high school.
Last week, the village's historic district architectural review board discussed the possibility of demolition of the building, which is now owned by the Burton Volunteer Fire Department.
Board chairwoman Pat Hauser said the fire department is expected to make the last payment on the building early this year, and that may trigger action on its part to demolish it.
Built shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War in 1866 on a site that now serves the Burton Public Library, it was moved to the north end of Burton Square when a second high school was built about 100 years ago. That second high school now serves as the library.
The building served as a lodge for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows until it was converted to an antique shop. The fire department purchased it in 2004 with plans for expanding its station immediately to the east of the building.
The fire department planned to refit the building to allow for use by the department, but heavy winter snows caused damage to the roof structure. Repairs were estimated to be between $70,000 to $100,000, which fire officials said they didn't have the money to cover.
Although officials said they hoped someone would step forward with the money to move the building, possibly to Century Village, that could cost as much as $500,000.
Mrs. Hauser asked that the fire department be sent a copy of the city's code, which designates requirements for demolishing a building within the historic district. That section of the code lists five criteria that must be met before a historic building may be demolished.
Fire Chief Michael Sestak said a decision on the fate of the building will be made by the department's trustees and members.
Ideally, he said, he would like someone to step forward and move the building to Century Village for preservation.
The department will not be able to fund a preservation effort on the building, Mr. Sestak said. "We won't use taxpayer money to restore it."
The village's code says that any demolition of a building in the historic district "shall be discouraged."
If it is to be considered, the applicant must meet five criteria.
The building must be deemed a hazard to public health or safety and repairs must be deemed impossible by the county building inspector, according to the code.
Also, a building may be demolished if the applicant can demonstrate that a "major community improvement" will take its place. The building also can be demolished if an applicant can show saving the building will cause "undue financial hardship" or it is in the best interest of the community.
Approval also requires that the demolition be delayed two months after approval to leave open the possibility that the building may be saved by an influx of money or a sale to someone interested in preserving the building.
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