PROVO — Legal action is being taken in an attempt to stop the demolition of Amanda Knight Hall, a Provo landmark that is best known as a former training center for LDS missionaries.
The Utah Heritage Foundation filed an injunction Thursday in 4th District Court against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns the building, and the Provo City Council, which essentially approved the hall's demolition three weeks ago by stripping it of its status as a historic landmark.
The injunction argues that the municipal council violated a city ordinance in removing the hall from the historic register and that the building cannot be torn down without permission from the Provo Landmarks Commission.
Dale Bills, a spokesman for the LDS Church, says the building was placed on the historic register without permission and that it is currently unsafe and obsolete. Until two years ago, the building was used as a language learning center, but it is now vacant.
"We are sensitive to the value of historic site but don't feel that this building has particular historical or religious significance," Bills said.
Built in 1939, the building on 800 N. University Ave. has been described as a gateway to downtown Provo and credited as the primary influence in the Tudor architecture style prevalent in the area.
In February, the Provo Landmarks Commission unanimously denied a request by the LDS Church to take the building off the city's historic register because commission members felt the building still qualified as a landmark.
The commission determined the building could be renovated at a reasonable cost.
Church officials then took their case to Provo's City Council, arguing that because they had never approved of the hall's placement on the register, it should be taken off.
Most of the council agreed with this logic. On May 7, the building was taken off the register.
Church officials have said they plan to raze the building but will not disclose their plans for the property.
"We believe we are in compliance with all Provo city requirements. However, the church will work with city officials to resolve any legitimate concerns before proceeding," Bills said.
Kirk Huffaker, Utah Heritage Foundation assistant director, says under city law the commission can designate historic buildings as landmarks without permission from the owner. He says the council has no authority under Provo city code to remove a building from the register, nor to approve the demolition of a landmark.
"The church needs to go through the correct process if they want to demolish the building, and the right process is not taking it off the register because it still fits the criteria of a landmark," Huffaker said.
Members of Provo's Landmarks Commission worry the council will remove other landmarks from the register, paving the way for their demolition.
"If that happens, what's the purpose of the Landmarks Commission?" said Stephen Hales, a commission member.
Neil Lindberg, Provo City Council attorney, declined comment.
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