The Old Silver Dollar Nightclub Demolished at 7th and Main.

[stephendare]

This was a historic landmark that stood at the corner of 7th and Main.

It stands no more.

Last I heard, this was a Jennifer Holbrooke project that she was partnering with SRG to redevelop.

I spoke with someone earlier who said that the streetside facade was supposed to remain standing, but when I drove by tonight it was all flat.

Sad.

John and I had a really great time there doing Eden, I guess I hoped to see the place restored.

Its too bad that the original Ryan Rummel Doors werent rescued.

[jbm32206]

See, this is part of what's wrong not only with our city, but within SPR. It amazes me how they'll simply level these old buildings without doing everything possible to save them. Geez, take a look at most other major cities, and each one has embraced the historic buildings, but not here...they bulldoze them down and think that building something that looks old will make up for it. It doesn't!!

[zoo]

Word straight from Pier Avenue Properties, the building owner, was that attempts to renovate and shore up the remaining 4 walls and floor were cost-prohibitive for the following reasons:

- building walls, originally constructed of 20's-sized concrete block, had too many holes (for windows/doors) poked in them
- building walls had too many original holes (also for windows/doors) plugged with other, non-structural materials
- damage from poor maintenance over the years left nothing salvageable but for the "holy" walls and slab (Stephen, I'm sure you can comment on the roof)

After PAP had two architects, two structural engineers, a bracing company and numerous GCs assess the building condition and estimate the cost to preserve and renovate, the costs to save exceeded the estimated cost to rebuild the exact same building by a significant amount (EVERY GC suggested it wasn't worth saving from the beginning).

The developer agreed a "new" Silver Dollar would have been cool.

I would suggest that anyone complaining contact the owners of other poorly maintained, non-contributing structures in Springfield and downtown, and offer their financial resources for preservation purposes ("put your money where your mouth is").

Some might say the redevelopers shouldn't have bought the non-contributing structure if they couldn't preserve it. Good point. I'm certain the prior owners (Batehs) had plans to change their neglectful ways, and would have given a hoot enough to not sell to Van Horne or Hionedes.

The developer may have chosen a route of progress that doesn't fit with everyone's tastes, but imho, when dealing with a non-contributing structure, no building is better than a rotting building.

Doors weren't saved, but plywood panels were...

[stephendare]

Thats good to hear Zoo.

I was amazed that the Holbrooke's  were going to attempt to restore the whole thing in the first place, as it seemed a gallant effort.

What most people could not see from the outside was that the Wood Joist structure had been fatally compromised, and the previous owners (the Bateh's) had allowed the structure to nearly collapse.  They were an evil influence and the state of their buildings was a shock and a shame (I know, we rented from them)

Also, no kidding about the tremendously poor patch jobs and holes that had been left in the facade walls over the years.

It was just a bit of a shock to see it come down with no warning.

Its great that the owners were able to salvage the original Sean Thurston Panels of Eve and the Garden of Eden.

[JaxByDefault]

Are there any immediate plans for the site?

[thelakelander]

At one point, the goal was to renovate the building into shell retail space, but it was in pretty bad shape.  I can't imagine the owner wanting to sit on the lot, so I assume it was probably more feasible to tear it down and rebuild from scratch.

[stephendare]

Well they must have plans for it.

They wouldnt have created another empty lot capriciously.

[32206livedraps]

Well they must have plans for it.

They wouldnt have created another empty lot capriciously.

Perhaps they can build another building, make it look like a historic building and get a plaque for it saying that an another historic building gave it's life for the sake of "progress"

[jbm32206]

good one! SPAR could make a fortune doing that!

[Springfield Girl]

This wasn't some beautiful historic building. It looked like a 60's or 70's remuddling with none of the original character remaining. The only thing about it that was good was the art work on the front, which was salvaged.