Editorial: Preserving old garages not worth losing Lexus

When the Spokane City Council adopted an ordinance to help preserve historically significant buildings, the 1890 Merton Block, the 1915 Mohawk Building and the 1934 Rookery Building already had been demolished and turned into a parking lot. The council’s reaction was understandable, but one of the feared consequences of the ordinance was that future designations of “historical” would trap property owners who wanted to sell.

Fast forward to today, and the desire of property owners at Third Avenue and Madison Street to lease a couple lots occupied by one-story garages to the neighboring Larry H. Miller Lexus Spokane as part of the dealership group’s $35 million expansion plan. That 2005 ordinance could mean no deal, because the garages would be demolished, and the Spokane City-County Landmark Commission, on Oct. 17, deemed them eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Under the ordinance, another structure must be built, even if the old one isn’t listed as historic.

Some critics of the 2005 ordinance feared this outcome, noting the law should’ve been limited to buildings already deemed historic, rather than subjecting property owners to the whims of future preservation rulings. The current ordinance hands too much power to an unaccountable third party.

The difference between “old” and “historic” is, of course, subjective. Take a field trip to those buildings and decide whether they are “significant.” They’re made of brick, as are several other buildings in that area. Are all to be preserved? If not wholly an eyesore, the blocks along West Third between the derelict Trade Winds Motel and First Presbyterian Church utterly lack curb appeal to passers-by on Interstate 90.

Would lots full of expensive cars be so bad? If Lexus leaves downtown, as it says it might if City Hall stymies expansion, what is gained? The existing structures will remain, and probably stand vacant.

Is it possible that someone some day would ride to the rescue and convert those garages into a hip urban business? Doubtful. Third Avenue is a noisy street paralleling the interstate. It is suited to its current use: auto-related businesses and drive-thru restaurants. It is not part of the West Downtown Historic Preservation Corridor.

City Hall is attempting to find a balanced solution without trampling on the independence of the Landmarks Commission. Property rights need to be a part of that balance. It’s one thing to intervene when iconic buildings are being slated for parking lots. It’s quite another when the structures are ordinary garages.

The City Council may have to revisit the 2005 ordinance and decide whether this is a desired outcome. Losing a key business and significant tax dollars is a high price to pay for preserving these structures.

Go see for yourself.