The Latest

This headline from the Pioneer Press says it all…

July 15 - “Judge: Twin Cities German Immersion School demolition on hold but opponents must raise $2M in a week“ - Pioneer Press

July 15 - “Demolition of former Como Park church on hold, but there's a catch” - Star Tribune

ve Historic St. Andrews GoFundMe.

Background

On June 3rd, Save Historic St. Andrew’s initiated a legal action under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (“MERA”) seeking to prevent the demolition of historic St. Andrew’s church in the Como Park - Warrendale neighborhood. 

The church, designed by famed St. Paul municipal architect Charles Hausler, was one of the city’s best Period Revival structures and currently houses the gymnasium and cafeteria of the Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS).

The MERA lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, sought a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to ensure that the 92-year-old structure will not be torn down as part of a $5.1 million building project that the school has been exploring for more than a year. MERA protects cultural and historic resources from destruction, and requires owners and developers to demonstrate that there are no feasible alternatives to demolition.

On July 15th, Judge Jennifer L. Frisch issued a temporary restraining order forbidding TCGIS from demolishing the building. However, Frisch said that SHSA seeking the restraining order -- Friends of Warrendale / Save Historic St. Andrew's LLC -- must provide a security bond of more than $1.9 million by July 22.  To be clear, Judge Frisch noted that we met our burden to prove the building was historic and that TCGIS did not meet its burden to prove that demolition is reasonably required (there were alternatives).  However, she tacked on a bond required for $1,964,354 by 22 July at 2 p.m. based on suspect ‘damages’ numbers shared by the school and it’s charter consulting firm TenSquare.
 


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