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Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion in Louisville spared from demolition

March 2, 2023 by Staff Reporter

An application to demolish the historic Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion was denied Wednesday night after a public hearing.For close to 60 years, the pavilion, commonly referred to as the “teepee” or “witch’s hat,” has sat in Cherokee Park. Even withstanding the 1974 tornado that snapped the trees surrounding it.Its iconic teepee shape has been home to weddings, family reunions and school field trips.Lark Phillips was one of several people who showed up Wednesday night in support of saving the pavilion.”For me, it’s been the place where so many people can come together under one roof, share meals. I had a group of friends that we met there regularly every week for several years,” Phillips said.Phillips was a key part of the efforts to save the pavilion when it last faced demolition in 2010. But the group managed to raise enough money to replace the roof and make other needed repairs.It was then designated a local historic landmark to prevent any future threats of demolition.Fast forward to May of last year, and the pavilion was closed due to concerns it could collapse.In November, members of the Louisville Metro Council budget committee recommended using $1.4 million of the city’s budget surplus to fund repairs of the pavilion. That number was later adjusted to $100,000 for the demolition of the pavilion. Savannah Darr is a historic preservation officer who recommended the committee deny the demolition request during Wednesday’s meeting.>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE TOP STORIES”There is severe deterioration to the structure. I mean that’s very clear from all of the reports we’ve seen. Likely due to its original construction materials with wood that was not exterior treated at the time of construction,” Darr said.But according to Darr, the pavilion is not an “imminent threat to life or property” as required by the guidelines for demolition.While it may not be an imminent threat, Louisville Parks and Recreation says it is not an easy fix. After consulting with structural engineers, the department determined shoring up the building and replacing the rotted beams would be too risky and too expensive, costing between $902,500 and $1.3 million. Jason Burkett is a structural engineer with Tetra Tech, which provided consulting on the pavilion.”If you’re able to find a contractor willing to bid on this work and is capable of doing it, the cost of doing it is going to be highly inflated to match that risk,” said Burkett.But the committee thought it was worth exploring and voted to deny demolition.”We’re being asked to approve demolition when we have also been given a perfectly acceptable solution to salvaging it,” said committee member Daniel Preston.Representatives for Louisville Parks and Recreation presented potential plans for repairs but did not provide any plans to rebuild the pavilion. They did say a new pavilion would be built, but no plans or cost estimates were provided. It did note the new pavilion would be built to follow guidelines set forth in the Bonnycastle Hill Master Plan.Ultimately, the committee voted four to one to deny the demolition request.While Phillips is relieved to be leaving with another victory, she hopes she’s fought this battle for the last time. “It’s a great feeling that it’s still going to be there hopefully for many years to come,” said Phillips.

LOUISVILLE, Ky —

An application to demolish the historic Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion was denied Wednesday night after a public hearing.

For close to 60 years, the pavilion, commonly referred to as the “teepee” or “witch’s hat,” has sat in Cherokee Park. Even withstanding the 1974 tornado that snapped the trees surrounding it.

Its iconic teepee shape has been home to weddings, family reunions and school field trips.

Lark Phillips was one of several people who showed up Wednesday night in support of saving the pavilion.

“For me, it’s been the place where so many people can come together under one roof, share meals. I had a group of friends that we met there regularly every week for several years,” Phillips said.

Phillips was a key part of the efforts to save the pavilion when it last faced demolition in 2010. But the group managed to raise enough money to replace the roof and make other needed repairs.

It was then designated a local historic landmark to prevent any future threats of demolition.

Fast forward to May of last year, and the pavilion was closed due to concerns it could collapse.

In November, members of the Louisville Metro Council budget committee recommended using $1.4 million of the city’s budget surplus to fund repairs of the pavilion. That number was later adjusted to $100,000 for the demolition of the pavilion.

Savannah Darr is a historic preservation officer who recommended the committee deny the demolition request during Wednesday’s meeting.

>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE TOP STORIES

“There is severe deterioration to the structure. I mean that’s very clear from all of the reports we’ve seen. Likely due to its original construction materials with wood that was not exterior treated at the time of construction,” Darr said.

But according to Darr, the pavilion is not an “imminent threat to life or property” as required by the guidelines for demolition.

While it may not be an imminent threat, Louisville Parks and Recreation says it is not an easy fix. After consulting with structural engineers, the department determined shoring up the building and replacing the rotted beams would be too risky and too expensive, costing between $902,500 and $1.3 million.

Jason Burkett is a structural engineer with Tetra Tech, which provided consulting on the pavilion.

“If you’re able to find a contractor willing to bid on this work and is capable of doing it, the cost of doing it is going to be highly inflated to match that risk,” said Burkett.

But the committee thought it was worth exploring and voted to deny demolition.

“We’re being asked to approve demolition when we have also been given a perfectly acceptable solution to salvaging it,” said committee member Daniel Preston.

Representatives for Louisville Parks and Recreation presented potential plans for repairs but did not provide any plans to rebuild the pavilion. They did say a new pavilion would be built, but no plans or cost estimates were provided. It did note the new pavilion would be built to follow guidelines set forth in the Bonnycastle Hill Master Plan.

Ultimately, the committee voted four to one to deny the demolition request.

While Phillips is relieved to be leaving with another victory, she hopes she’s fought this battle for the last time.

“It’s a great feeling that it’s still going to be there hopefully for many years to come,” said Phillips.



Originally Appeared Here

Filed Under: Gazebos & Pavilions

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