Do not be overzealous in approving the demolition of the historic buildings of our city. Engage with institutional and corporate neighbors and the community to develop master plans that protect and enhance the historic character of our neighborhoods.
The Issue
This petition is in direct response to the recent proposals by St. Ignatius High School to raze a historic church (proposal made in 2012) and two historic houses (proposal made in February, 2015) along Carroll Avenue in the Ohio City Historic District (located at 2900 and 3215 Carroll Avenue) and to construct large surface parking lots in their place.
The proposed demolitions would erode an already delicate edge to the historic district in an area that has proven its economic viability. St. Ignatius has already torn down whole blocks of historic buildings south of Lorain Ave. for parking. Their insatiable parking needs should not be fulfilled at the expense of the historic district and the generations of historic preservationists who have invested and made their homes here.
The house with the turret shown in the foreground of the photograph is not proposed for demolition, but it would stand at the edge of a new 26-car parking lot. The white house at the center of the photograph is 3215 Carroll Ave. and is proposed for demolition. The church in the distance is the First Reformed Church, built by a German congregation in 1863 and later remodeled. A proposal was made by St. Ignatius to demolish the church in 2012 and it was met with community opposition. The church is currently falling into disrepair under St. Ignatius High School's ownership.
While this petition is in response to St. Ignatius High School's proposals, the buildings involved are not designated landmarks or even particularly special, they are the ordinary, vernacular buildings which form the glue that holds our city together. Their survival speaks for every historic neighborhood, every landmark and every scenic vista we have seen disappear only to be replaced with concrete and asphalt parking lots, big boxes, skybridges, power pylons and motels.
Every victory in the Historic Preservation movement is temporary; every loss is permanent. It's important to send a clear message to The Landmarks Commission, the Mayor and the City Council that we want our architectural landmarks AND our historic districts protected.
Petition Closed
The Issue
This petition is in direct response to the recent proposals by St. Ignatius High School to raze a historic church (proposal made in 2012) and two historic houses (proposal made in February, 2015) along Carroll Avenue in the Ohio City Historic District (located at 2900 and 3215 Carroll Avenue) and to construct large surface parking lots in their place.
The proposed demolitions would erode an already delicate edge to the historic district in an area that has proven its economic viability. St. Ignatius has already torn down whole blocks of historic buildings south of Lorain Ave. for parking. Their insatiable parking needs should not be fulfilled at the expense of the historic district and the generations of historic preservationists who have invested and made their homes here.
The house with the turret shown in the foreground of the photograph is not proposed for demolition, but it would stand at the edge of a new 26-car parking lot. The white house at the center of the photograph is 3215 Carroll Ave. and is proposed for demolition. The church in the distance is the First Reformed Church, built by a German congregation in 1863 and later remodeled. A proposal was made by St. Ignatius to demolish the church in 2012 and it was met with community opposition. The church is currently falling into disrepair under St. Ignatius High School's ownership.
While this petition is in response to St. Ignatius High School's proposals, the buildings involved are not designated landmarks or even particularly special, they are the ordinary, vernacular buildings which form the glue that holds our city together. Their survival speaks for every historic neighborhood, every landmark and every scenic vista we have seen disappear only to be replaced with concrete and asphalt parking lots, big boxes, skybridges, power pylons and motels.
Every victory in the Historic Preservation movement is temporary; every loss is permanent. It's important to send a clear message to The Landmarks Commission, the Mayor and the City Council that we want our architectural landmarks AND our historic districts protected.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on February 16, 2015