UPDATE, February 1, 2012:

Please attend and testifying at the City Council hearing on Monday, February 6 at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall. The Spokane City Council will consider a non-binding resolution to encourage WSU and Campus Advantage (the approved purchaser, see "Summary of the Problem," below) to explore ways to renovate, rather than demolish  the Jensen-Byrd Building. Read it here: http://www.spokanepreservation.org/admin/PDFs/Jensen-Byrd%20Non-Binding%20Resolution%20rev%202Feb12.pdf  PLEASE ATTEND AND TESTIFY! Here are some possible talking points:

--   Historic preservation is an economic driver in Spokane. It creates jobs and a unique sense of place that attracts new residents businesses, and tourists. Historic renovations contribute millions of dollars each year to the regional economy, creating jobs and stimulating new business activity and development

--  We are pro-development, and in favor of new housing inthe University District. We think housing                could go inside the Jensen-ByrdBuilding and additions, or on undeveloped land.  

--  Historic Preservation helps to defineSpokane's identity. 

--  Your personal stories about historicbuildings in Spokane and specifically the Jensen-Byrd Building.

--  Renovation of Jensen-Byrd is surely possible, but will require creativity. The University of Washington has renovated numerous historic buildings in Tacoma.In Spokane, most of our greatest preservation successes, such as the Davenport Hotel, the FoxTheater, the Steam Plant, were all slated for demolition once, and the experts doubted that renovation would be possible. Claims that the Jensen-Byrd Buildings column grid is too narrow, and ceilings are too low, are exaggerated. These characteristics are opportunities for interesting development. Extensive preservation tax credits are available

--  Historic Preservation is asustainable, “green” building practice. Demolitionsends high-quality materials to the dump and wastes the embedded energy of theoriginal construction. 

-- The Strategic Master Plan of Spokane’s University District highlights historic preservation as a “Core Planning Principle.” The plan notes that preservation projects “have been catalysts for additional public and private investments, creating a vibrant environment that is making news regionally and nationally.” The Jensen-Byrd building is the most significant historic building in the district. WSU is a financial partner and board member of the district

UPDATE, January 25, 2012: 

1) The National Trust for Historic Preservation has issued a letter supporting preservation of the Jensen-Byrd Building. Read it here: http://www.preservationnation.org/about-us/press-center/press-releases/2012/national-trust-for-historic-1.html 

2) On Monday, February 6, 2012 the Spokane City Council will consider a non-binding resolution to encourage WSU and Campus Advantage (the approved purchaser, see above) to continue to explore ways to incorporate the building into new development, rather than demolish it.  Read it here: http://www.spokanepreservation.org/admin/PDFs/Jensen-Byrd%20Non-Binding%20Resolution%20rev%202Feb12.pdf

PLEASE ATTEND AND TESTIFY!

3) As of today we have received over 200 signed letters clipped out from SPA's half-page ad that ran in the Spokesman Review on Sunday, January 15! 

UPDATE, January 19, 2012: As of today we have received over 100 signed letters clipped out from SPA's half-page ad that ran in the Spokesman Review on Sunday, January 15! We will present them to the WSU Board of Regents. Keep them coming! Download, sign, and return yours today, here:  http://www.spokanepreservation.org/admin/PDFs/Jensen-Byrd%20Ad%20Spokesman%2015Jan12-FINAL%20BW%20sml.pdf

UPDATE, January 18, 2012: The Spokane City County Historic Landmarks Commission determined on January 18, 2012 that the Jensen-Byrd Building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. About 20 members of the public testified in support of preservation of the building (and we think the snow storm discouraged many more from attending). Read about it here: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/19/jensen-byrd-eligible-for-historic-preservation/  Unfortunately, this determination does not protect the building from demolition.    WE STILL NEED SUPPORTER OF PRESERVATION TO WRITE LETTERS TO THE DECISION MAKERS ABOVE.

SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM:The Jensen-Byrd Building is a six-story brick warehouse designed by Albert Held and built in 1909 for the Marshall-Wells Hardware Co. of Duluth, Minnesota. Currently owned by Washington State University, it stands on Main Avenue, at the nexus of the Downtown Business District, the WSU Riverpoint Campus, and the University District.  On December 13, 2011, WSU approved sale of the building to Austin, Texas-based Campus Advantage for the purpose of demolishing it and building new housing on the site. Read the initial story here: