November 11, 2005 in City

Rookery demolition stops as city talks deal

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Demolition work that began Wednesday on the Rookery Building in downtown Spokane was halted on Thursday as the owner of the building negotiates with city leaders on a possible plan to save the historic site.
(Full-size photo)

Demolition of the Rookery and Mohawk buildings in downtown Spokane was stopped Thursday by owner Wendell Reugh to give city leaders time to consider ways to save the historic structures.

City Council President Dennis Hession said Thursday evening that he met earlier in the day with Reugh to talk about the possibility of city intervention. Council members on Monday are expected to consider the city’s next step.

The council met in a closed-door session Thursday afternoon to talk about possible intervention.

Demolition of the 1915 Mohawk and 1934 Rookery buildings would leave a gaping hole in the heart of the city’s historic downtown, Hession said.

As of Thursday, holes had been knocked through the rear wall of one building and some ornate terra-cotta decorations had been removed.

Council members have heard from hundreds of residents urging the city to take action.

Developer Ron Wells, seeking to buy the properties for about $5 million, said on Wednesday that the demolition work was not “irreversible.”

Hession said the city has numerous financial tools at its disposal, including a loan from the solid waste reserve fund, tax-increment financing, tax-exempt financing and a public development authority.

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