Correction: 1324 Niedringhaus is being renovated!
I have a huge correction to make, and it’s great news.
I recently posted that 1324 Niedringhaus in Granite City was going to be demolished. Well, I’m a moron. The opposite is true: It’s being rehabbed!
Granite City Economic Development Director Jon Ferry commented:
“I wanted to inform you that the bank building at 1324 Niedringhaus in downtown Granite City is not going to be demolished. True, it does have a ‘razing permit’ placard on the front door. However, that permit was to demolish only some of the interior drywall in the upper floor. The building itself is actually being redeveloped into lofts on the upper floor, preserving the first floor for commercial space. Also, while I do not want to go into great detail on here, since the plans are not completely set in stone as of right now, I can assure you as a City official for Granite City that we are working on a redevelopment plan of our downtown that includes the preservation of as many historically and architecturally valuable buildings in the downtown area as can possibly be salvaged. At one point a prior administration did want to demolish entire blocks of downtown, but that was over 10 years ago. A new administration has taken over now, and we’re not about to let that happen.”
Furthermore, GC Downtown Development Committee chair Brenda Whitaker adds:
“I’m happy to report that Mayor Hagnauer and the Granite City Council are aware of the treasures that are still in the community and are in full swing of bringing Downtown back to it’s former glory.
The raising permit that you are referring to in the former Guardian Savings Bank is the first phase of a redevelopment project at that loction, the permit is for demo of the enterior only. The second life for this buldings calls for lofts on the second story and retail space on the street level.
This is just one of the many exciting projects in Downtown Granite City.
The City is currently working with Trivers and Associates on several upcoming projects such as the redevelopmet of the former YMCA building (another treasure) into a civic center as well as new construction of a state of the art cinema.
As the city of Granite City takes a bold approach to the redevelopment of its Downtown we invite to come and watch the progress and enjoy all we have now and will soon have it offer in this quaint community. Our community offers the feel of a small town with the convinence of big city living. Most don’t realize that we are only six minutes from Downtown St.Louis.
If you would like more information on the redevelopment of Downtown Granite City feel free to contact our Economic Development Director: Jon Ferry
Come and rediscover Downtown Granite City.”
This is fabulous news! Yay! My apologies that I spoke so hastily—given a few recent demos in Downtown Granite and the sight of the word “RAZING” on the building permit, I got nervous and jumped the gun. I’m sorry about that.
I am very happy to learn that plans to turn the YMCA into a civic center are moving forward, to boot. I’d heard bits and pieces of news about that a while back, but hadn’t heard anything lately. That corner ought to have a lot more vitality in a couple years’ time. Good for GC!
(Now, if only I could get this kind of uplifting news every time I posted about a demo permit….)
To celebrate the good news, here are two more photos:
A view of the cornice of 1324 with the wonderful modern Granite City Steel Building in the background:
And a lousy shot of a great building…. Looking across the street to the terracottalicious Granite City YMCA, future home of a civic center:
Yet another reason to live on the North Side: It’z cheep
Doug, knowing of my bordering-on-unhealthy fascination with the Baden neighborhood, sent me this Craigslist rental ad: Fully Rehabbed Single Family. It’s a duplex that’s been turned into a giant, three bedroom single family house. Okay, some of the rehab touches aren’t what I’d do myself (WTF did they do to that poor mantel?), but renters can’t always be choosers. If I weren’t looking to live roommatelessly next time I move, and if I weren’t so attached to my wonderful neighbors in Old North, and if this place would reconsider the no pets rule, I would SO live there. As it is, oh well.
A newly rehabbed dulpex for $750 a month, replete with a (remixed) mantel, a pocket door, walk-in closets…. If the phrase “move back to Chicago” ever comes out of my mouth when I’m talking to you, please slap me.
