Rookery Block Deathwatch: Mohawk down 2

The gaping wound you see before you is the demo progress on what's left of Wendell Reugh's Rookery Block.  The Rookery, mowed down in January, is now fill dirt, and the Mohawk is down to its remaining five floors.  Wendell Reugh's demo crews are literally consuming this building from the inside-out.  Day-by-day the space is changing, and opening up what is the historic heart of downtown (Howard & Riverside).

If there's a gesture Mr. Reugh could make, instead of plopping down the predictable surface parking lot, we'd like to see something different...how about a huge expansive patch of lawn with a few benches.  Reclaim this as a pseudo-public space until it's redeveloped.  Frisbee football anyone?  Why not?

Comments

[FlourishGirl]

The loss of these buildings in the heart of downtown is measured in so many ways. The void that has been left behind is disturbing. Pedestrian traffic has diminished and will likley be discouraged once the demo is complete due to the strange open space left behind. The scab that remains should serve as a very visible reminder that protecting the CBD's street-scape is vital to the success and vitality of our City's core. Imagine that these buildings where revitalized instead of scraped! One only needs to look at the Davenport District for insight into what might have been. You blew it Reugh...your legacy is decay, destruction, and selfishness.

[MK]

Yeah, we all protested and wrote the city council about these buildings, but at the end of the day they couldn't be saved. It's time to move on.

I for one hope we see a new high-rise office building that becomes the tallest in the city. Historic preservation is great, and Spokane has A LOT of it. Let's get some buildings that point to the future and not the past.

[Danny Dinges]

I fully agree MK. Even though the restoration of these buildings would have been a great solution, what will come could be better. The heart of downtown needs to go up. Spokane already has a large array of historical renovations. Now, we look to mold a landscape in Spokane's skyline. Something a little more modern. All these parking lots and open spaces in downtown are ready to sprout some real skyscrapers. Let's just hope that our local government feels the same.

[Paul]

I am sure that Mr. Reugh would love to build a park if you would agree to pay all of his property taxes until it is re-developed. Until you do, a parking lot is the best way for him to preserve his private property investment until a qualified buyer or developer is found. If you wanted a park, maybe the City should have made a real value offer on the property instead of the low-ball they gave.

[William]

The Mohawk was beautiful and simple. It is a shame that it is gone. As you brought up in your post on upstate New York's goal of 2% metro populations living in downtowns, I think this would be a great place for some condos on the lower levels of a nice tall modern multi-use building. But hey, a block full of stationary earth killers is nice too.

[METROSPOKANE]

Actually, the best way for him to preserve his private property investment would have been to maintain the integrity of the structures to begin with. As for the temporary park idea, Spokane has a long history of families who've made their fortunes here, donating land/money for public use, especially parks.

To be honest, we really wish he was still interested in building the office tower he had envisioned on this site about 5-6 years ago. It looked fantastic.

[Robb]

I grew up in Spokane (decided to make my way in Seattle) and saw this when I was visiting this weekend... I couldn't believe it.

And a parking lot? That's patently offensive.

[Jim]

I don't think you could find a worse example of urban lack of planning, landlord insensitivity -c'mon slowly dismanteling this place like a slow bleed for all to witness.! At least the old buildings in east Saint Louis are still in tact, but this is unbelievable. Cities don't have the resources to build parks in the epicenter of their downtown. Historical preservation obviously couldn't prevail. The only hope is to wait for a market driven commercial development that hopefully looks better than the new Davenport...Now, how many years will pass until this happens? Thank you Mr. property owner.