Council Kicks In
Steine goes pro-Jack
Metro Council member-at-large Ronnie Steine has filed a resolution asking Council to request that owners of the Jacksonian Apartments consider other uses for the building before allowing it to be torn down. Steine filed the resolution on Tuesday. Council will consider it on June 16, he said.
The resolution describes the apartment building as an “historic structure which deserves to be preserved” and notes that “preservation of such historic structures should be accomplished if at all economically feasible.” The resolution also says that “every effort should be made to keep this historic structure, and every reasonable opportunity and alternative use of this building should be explored prior to the demolition of the building.”
The resolution then directs Metro Council staff “to send a certified copy” of the resolution to Russell Morris III, the developer who hopes to see a Walgreen drugstore built on the site of the historic building, and to Trey Rochford and John T. Rochford, members of the family that owns the property.
Steine acknowledged that the resolution cannot prevent the property’s owners or the developer from razing the structure. Zoning for the Jacksonian property, which is at the intersection of West End and 31st Avenues, permits commercial use. What’s more, the current property owners have the right to tear the building down they desire to do so.
Nevertheless, Seine said he was hopeful that the resolution might have an effect.
“It’s important at this point in time for the Council to join with the rest of the community and say we care about preserving the uniqueness of our city,” Steine said. “And this resolution, if it passes, will let the property owners and the developers know that a majority of the Council hope they will find another alternative. I hope it will have important symbolism to them.”
