Last week it looked like the Sutton Loop Park pavilion faced demolition, now — maybe not.
During renovation workers discovered that the shelter sits on a concrete slab instead of proper footings. Without rectifying that the shelter would have to be demolished. Maplewood City Council voted 4-3 last Tuesday not to spend approximately $15,000 to shore up the foundation and save the shelter.
City Manager Marty Corcoran said following the meeting that the city can’t leave it in an unsafe condition, and demolition seemed imminent.
Prevalent feelings in the community seemed to be wanting to keep the shelter. A local historian wrote an article on its history, which started out as a street car pavilion.
Now, according to Ward 1 Councilman David Cerven, the council may hold a work session before the next council meeting to discuss the park project as a whole, and possibly the shelter. He said on Monday the shelter is “on a holding pattern.”
Cerven was one of the votes not to spend the money to repair the shelter.
“I was going off the input I received when we did put it out to the community, and very few people talked about keeping the pavilion,” he said. “Everybody had ideas of wanting to redevelop that site into something greater than a pavilion.”
Cerven said no matter what the council decides there will be feedback both ways. “It’s a no-win,” he said. He said just because something is old, doesn’t mean it has to be saved. He stressed the importance of safety.
“To me I want something that serves the park, that has something historical about it, and is safe,” he said.
UPDATE: Council has scheduled a work session for Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Cost estimates for the bus loop shelter and a discussion of revising the walkway are on the agenda.
The meeting is open to the public.
I wonder who Cerven spoke with. I didn’t even hear about the possible demolition until the article on 40 South News. I guess I don’t move in the right circles. But I definitely don’t think we should demolish the pavilion. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it should be demolished, either, Mr. Cerven. We aren’t wanting to save it simply because it is “old.” It’s a piece of our history, but it also still extremely practical in its use, as the above commenters mentioned.
So short-sighted to demolish the shelter.
Since the bus loop was closed and grass was planted, there are groups and families at the Sutton Park all the time playing, hanging out, and sitting at the picnic tables under the shelter. I have also attended children’s parties there. Even prior to the loop closing, there were always people sitting on the benches under the shelter. Parks all need shelter…it allows for use year round and particularly in crazy St. Louis changeable weather. Keep the shelter please!!