Phoenix Building - March 3, 2005 

FATE OF LANDMARK UNCERTAIN
By Leroy Sigman / Daily Journal Staff Writer
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Park Hills, St. Francois Co. MO, Thurs. Oct. 26, 1995.

PARK HILLS -- The Phoenix Building, a downtown landmark soon to be vacant, will be going on the market soon but the owners are considering measures aimed at preserving its facade and restricting the purposes for which it can be used.

Members of the Park Hills City Council gave city administrator Larry E. Hughes authority this week to advertise for proposals from potential buyers and to look into what restrictions the city could put on the property.

Councilman John Simmons Sr. asked the council to consider getting rid of more of the surplus property it has as a result of the consolidation that created the city last year, as well as the construction of the new Municipal Building.

Until this week, the Phoenix Building had housed the offices of the city's water and sewer departments for 19 years. Those offices were moved into the new Municipal Building at the corner of Bennett and Keith streets over the weekend.

In addition, the Park Hills Chamber of Commerce offices will soon be moved from another section of the building in the 300 block of West Main Street to the old depot building about one block away. The depot building had housed the city's police station until it also moved to the new Municipal Building.

Hughes said the city would probably like to see something in the transaction that would assure the unique facade of the building would be preserved. Some members of the council also said it might be advantageous to include some restrictions in the deed as to how the building can be used.

Hughes suggested the city has some options on how it might approach the situation. It could sell the property to the highest bidder, offer it for lease or rent or ask for purchase proposals that would include both a price and intended purpose.

Mayor Leonard Henson said he would like to see the transaction made on the basis of best bid and best use so the building remains an attraction for the business district rather than something that could be detrimental.

"We are trying to upgrade the downtown area," Councilman Ken Koen said.

Another council member commented, however, that by placing restrictions on the use of the building, as well as efforts to preserve the face, could hinder efforts to sell it. If the facade must be maintained through what Hughes described as a "facade easement," the member said the new owner might be reluctant to do necessary maintenance.

While it might appear there are two buildings, the Phoenix Building includes the areas in which both the city utilities and chamber offices were located. Councilman Vernon Horton said the building was also known at one time as the Goodman Building.

Prior to the city's ownership, one portion of the building housed Goodman Finance Co. and other offices while the other housed retail businesses.

The council also agreed to give the occupant of the former Elvins city hall notice to vacate within 30 days. After that, the building on West Elvins Boulevard will be torn down.

The granite building just northwest of the four-way stop for Highway 32 and Elvins Boulevard was originally the location of the Elvins City Hall and fire station. It later housed the library, after the city hall was moved to the old depot.

Koen pointed out the council had discussed "bulldozing" the building previously and the mayor added, "Now is the time to do it with the street department personnel and equipment available."

Councilman John Clark said he would like to see the city get out from under the liability and maintenance of any surplus buildings it has as result of the consolidation. The city has sold the former Esther city hall and the Central R-3 School District is using the former Rivermines city hall.

Published by THE DAILY JOURNAL, Park Hills, St. Francois Co. MO, Thurs. Oct. 26, 1995.

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Note:  I'm happy to report that this beautiful building was saved.  As of  March 2005, the Phoenix Building houses the offices of Edward D. Jones Investments operated by Ken Douglas.