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...

[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.

[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.

[hanjin1]

yea it sad to see that it's just an empty lot like every other lot on main. i would have preferred it stayed even in a bad state, because eventually you would hope someone would actually buy it to restore it.

[ChriswUfGator]

This thread is a perfect example of the havoc those idiots at SPAR caused. Their legacy is a trail of vacant lots.

[sheclown]

It certainly was a funky little joint back in the day. 

[iloveionia]

I don't remember the building.  Do you by chance have a photo?

[thelakelander]

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/29/59323878_f969b99861_z.jpg?zz=1

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.

I have some inside knowledge in regards to the project they tried to pull off. They wanted to revamp the building and add a new second floor. The first would have been street level retail and the second would have been office space. For what they were trying to do, it probably was cheaper to construct new then add  to the old structure.

I don't remember exactly how things progressed but I believe the 2-level plan was deemed unfeasible and then they considered a single floor revamp before demolishing it altogether.





Personal feelings aside, the cost to renovate aging building stock vs the value your finish product ends up being is a major reason why half of downtown and Springfield's Main Street sit empty.  If you want to invest your cash, there are a million alternative options available that will give you a higher ROI. I can tell you from experience, material is worth more sitting on a Lowe's store shelf than it is being rearranged into a livable space. It sucks but it is what it is and is a major reason why the city will have to subsidize the redevelopment of a lot of these types of spaces.

[Tacachale]

Is there anything there now?

[thelakelander]

A weed filled slab.