ST. PETERSBURG — Preservationists say they will prolong their battle to save a historic downtown block earmarked for demolition and redevelopment.
St. Petersburg Preservation, which works to save historic sites and structures, will file an application this week asking that the “cheese-grater” buildings in the 400 block of Central Avenue be designated historic, said its vice president, Peter Belmont.
The move comes after the City Council last week declined to halt demolition.
“That block is clearly changing, and we need to make sure that it changes in a way that keeps St. Pete special,” Belmont said. “The combination of reusing the old buildings with new development, we think, is the best way to do that. More importantly, we should not tear the buildings down before we know what’s going to happen on the block.”
St. Petersburg Preservation’s application could go before the Community Planning and Preservation Commission as early as April 12 and then, eventually, to the City Council.