Commission votes against protecting historic buildings

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Two Lafayette historic homes may soon be demolished, including one that's more than 150 years old.

The Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission discussed the fates of two homes near the corner of 8th and South streets Monday evening.

It's a story News 18 first reported last week. Church officials who own the buildings said with the homes sitting empty, they are uninsurable.  All efforts to have them moved to another location have been too costly over the years.

The commission voted down a measure that would create a temporary historical district, which would last for 120 days pending any action by the City Council.  

"We're happy with this, this lets us go on with our plan," said church member Dave Lahr.  "It's mainly beautification, planting some trees, shrubs, things like that, not a parking lot."  

The vote was split four to three.

"The toughest the weight on my mind is the fact that they can't insure them," said commission member Dick Negel, who voted against creating the district. "I think that is critical. I don't want to put the church in that position. As I said, I made the vote against that with a heavy heart."
 
"It's tough, I really trying to take a stand at this commission here, to stop the loss of these beautiful buildings," said commission member Kurt Wahl who voted for creating the district.

If nothing changes, the buildings can be torn down Nov. 11.