Demolition in store for former Star-Telegram Classifieds Building?
June 11, 2009 at 9:20 am | Architecture & Urban Design, Preservation | Tags: Architecture, Downtown, Historic Preservation
We’ve been hearing word that the Fort Worth Club, who purchased the former Star-Telegram Classifieds Building at the corner of 5th & Taylor, is using the phrase “tear-down” to describe the building. The rumor is that the building would be demolished for a surface parking lot (presumably connected to the existing surface lot the Fort Worth Club also owns on the same block).
It would be unfortunate if the Fort Worth Club were to demolish this building. It has architectural significance, as it is the only remaining example of post-war Mid Century Modern “Googie” architecture in downtown Fort Worth. It was neglected by the Star-Telegram for many years but isn’t so altered that the building could not be returned to its original appearance. Preserving the building would enrich Downtown Fort Worth’s architectural heritage. Precious little Googie architecture of any kind remains in Fort Worth, especially in our urban areas. The loss of the Classifieds Building would be quite detrimental in this regard.
Further, the word that the building could come down for surface parking is additionally troubling. Surface parking lots are very detrimental to the fabric of urban areas such as Downtown Fort Worth – we already have far too many of them. Surface parking creates a dead space in the built environment, discouraging walking and other street activity, as well as promoting increased traffic and car use. It seems counter-productive, in this age of trying to reduce car usage and dependency, reduce oil consumption, promote alternative transportation, and encourage an active and vibrant downtown that we would lose an architecturally significant building to a surface lot that would run in opposition to all of these goals.
It is our hope that an alternative to demolition could be found. The loss of the Classifieds Building for a parking lot would be a negative in virtually every regard. We hope that the Fort Worth Club understands the harm these sorts of decisions do to Downtown Fort Worth.
If you’d like to express your views on the demolition of the Classifieds Building, we’d recommend taking a look at the Fort Worth Club’s Contact Us page for potential contacts.