COVINGTON — The Odd Fellows Hall dodged the wrecking ball Thursday when city officials decided to save what remains of the 146-year-old building.

        Developers have until June 3 to brace the burned-out structure's remaining three walls and present a reconstruction plan including detailed engineering plans and renderings.

A front loader clears debris Thursday from Fifth Street. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        “We have had such highs and lows with this project,” said the developer's attorney, Greg Shumate of Covington. “We were so upset with news of the fire, but now it's a new day. It (Odd Fellows Hall) got a breath of life with this decision.”

        The pre-Civil War building, slated for a major renovation, was largely destroyed by fire Tuesday.

        Confederate soldiers were held prisoner there and an assassinated Kentucky governor laid in state in the hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

        One wall collapsed onto Fifth Street on Tuesday, leaving a three-walled shell teetering.

        Streets for a three-block radius around the building will remain closed until at least June 3.

        “I'm ecstatic about the decision,” said Commissioner Alex Edmondson. “Closing down the street for some additional days is a small price to pay for the preservation of the Odd Fellows Hall.”

        Officials said they believe bracing the walls in an attempt to save them will take only a few days longer than demolishing the building.

        By June 3, business owners should be able to open their shops, but some streets may remain closed. Shopkeepers in the shadow of the 65-foot brick walls were given hard hats and permits to enter their businesses Thursday.

        City officials have called the renovation of the hall a cornerstone of downtown redevelopment. The developers, Damian and Kelly Sells and Tony Milburn, will get to keep a $550,000 Renaissance Kentucky grant and be eligible for federal tax credits for historic renovations if they preserve what's left.

        “There (are) precedents in saving a burned-out building and using it as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment,” said Karen Keown, coordinator of Main Street Renaissance Kentucky.

        Eleven years ago, Paducah sold a historic building ravaged by fire for $1 to a developer who renovated it into a luxury apartment and retail shops.

        “It absolutely was a catalyst for downtown redevelopment,” said Tom Barnett, planning director for Paducah. “It was a model of what could be done with a structure that everyone thought was finished.”

        Developer Franklin Mosco of Paducah said the roof of that 129-year-old building was destroyed, along with 25 percent of the rear wall and 35 percent of the face of the building.

        Mr. Mosco spent $250,000 to renovate the two-story brick building on Broadway in Paducah and recouped about $50,000 through federal tax credits.

        “The restoration of the building caused a lot of people to rethink their thoughts on restoration,” said Mr. Mosco, who has been recognized statewide for promoting historic restoration.
       

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