The building that housed the former Raines Shoe Hospital may be demolished if the Owensboro Historic Preservation Board gives the approval. But first, a formal inspection of the building has to be conducted, determining whether or not the building is structurally sound.
The building, located at 333 Frederica St., sits within the historic core overlay district, meaning several steps must be taken before any kind of demolition can occur. Marty Walker, who submitted the application for demolition, told the board that he had plans to purchase both Raines Shoe Hospital and the building adjacent to it.
“We’re in the process of purchasing the two properties — the corner three-story building and also Raines Shoe Hospital,” he said.
During a self-evaluation of the properties, Walker said he and his team determined they could renovate the three-story building, estimating that renovations would costing roughly $300,000 need to happen both inside and out.
As for Raines Shoe Hospital, Walker said the building was in major disrepair, citing what appeared to be several structural issues he’d noticed while walking through it. Before becoming a shoe repair shop, Walker said the buildings held a bowling alley and a bank.
“The feasibility of trying to fix up that property just doesn’t make any sense, economically,” he said. “And trying to turn around and trying to rent it [isn’t feasible].”
According to Walker, parts of the building have “zero” historic value, such as the back end of the property. The building — divided into three pieces — includes a back section that was built in the 1950s.
“In preserving the building, I’m not sure what you’d be accomplishing from a business standpoint,” he said. “It doesn’t make any financial sense at all to try and rent it afterward. The rent on it would be at such a level, you couldn’t get anybody to pay.”
Walker’s proposal includes tearing down the garage and Raines Shoe Hospital, adding a side entrance to the middle of the large building, and entering into a common area where the stairwell is currently located.
“We’d like to have an entrance off the parking area directly into that area and be able to subdivide the larger building into a front and a back, so we’d be able to rent both ends of the building and even have a waiting room or receptionist area in there,” he said.
If Walker gets the approval to demolish the building, he said he wants to add more parking and landscaping to the property.
It might not be possible to demolish the building, as Board Chair Gary Adams said consultants with the City of Owensboro had determined the building to “be contributing to the historic character of the district.”
That determination was made in 2004, Adams said.
The building may be considered “contributing,” but it’s never been designated as a landmark, Adams said. So, ultimately, the decision for demolition will fall on the Historic Preservation Board.
The board determined that an official inspection needed to take place before going further, adding that Walker would also have to “submit the demolition application with complete development plans for the site, together with a timetable and a budget for the demolition and reconstruction, as well as evidence of adequate financing.”
“It’s just not as simple as tearing it down because it looks bad,” the board said.
