Public invited to give comment on proposed demolition of Emporium

A picture of what Cowboy Partners is proposing in its bid to redevelop the Emporium in downtown Logan.

LOGAN – Members of the Historic Preservation Committee will meet November 18 at 12 p.m. in the Logan Municipal Council Chambers to approve or deny a request to demolish the Emporium building.

In an email sent to Center Block property owners Wednesday morning, Mayor Holly Daines invited owners to attend and make comments during the public hearing. She also updated owners on the proposed plans for Center Block.

“We have been working on this for a long time and this is just the next step,” said Daines. “It’s time to go to the (HPC) with a yes or no vote.”

The plans, unveiled on September 25 and yet to be finalized, have been revised several times by Developer Dan Lofgren after listening to public comments and concerns from business owners, according to Daines.

The proposal includes an apartment building, plaza, ice rink, water feature, stage and parking structure.

While several business owners in the downtown area have expressed approval of the plans, others, including Eugene Needham III, owner of Logan Fine Art Gallery, will attend the public hearing to ask members of the HPC to deny the request.

“I’m kind of distraught with the situation,” said Needham. “It’s just not what I had hoped Holly would have come up with. We waited a year and a half for her plans to finally come, and then to me they’re such a disappointment.”

Needham believes the Emporium should be saved. He suggested using money set aside to tear down the Emporium be used to re-purpose the building and bring back retail shops and a restaurant.

Needham also has an issue with the proposed parking structure. “We won’t have the convenient street level parking that we have now,” he said.

Daines insisted that Lofgren has addressed many of the parking issues and “is working on yet another potential design to further address parking concerns.”

In the email to owners, Daines stated: “This will continue to be a public process. Once we get to a workable plan that has support (and I realize it will never be 100% support) we still have to bring that plan to HPC, then Planning Commission, and of course get approval from City Council for funding, using RDA fund reserves.”

“I want everyone to know when it is (the public hearing),” said Daines. “We’re not trying to hide this. Please come and give us comments, pro or con. That’s what a public hearing is for, it’s part of the process.”

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6 Comments

  • ImHereAllWeek November 13, 2019 at 3:19 pm Reply

    I think we need another Maverik. The 25 in town aren’t quite doing it for me.

  • Julie Petersen November 13, 2019 at 6:51 pm Reply

    Something I have seen time and again is the demolition of icons in the valley. Supposed code violations and expensive repair is another of the many reasons given to take away history. I’m a firm believer that it should be preserved. Throwing away money to tear it down and rebuild is not the answer. The structural integrity of the surrounding buildings is also a risk. It may damage them unrepairably. Along with the fact that these businesses will be impacted by the rebuild. It’s been a taxing situation for those on center street this year. Use your money wisely, bring back the building. It can be done.

  • T. Scott November 14, 2019 at 10:36 am Reply

    aint it a histortic landmark ? i think we should keep it and put another resturant in there ( like the old copper mill it was beautiful site of the temple and main st. in logan). Ive been here all my life and i would hate to see this building go and ruin the historic down town logan..

  • Tiffany November 14, 2019 at 9:34 pm Reply

    Keep the emporium!! It’s a classic. You can’t just tear it down. It has brought value, life, and joy to Logan! Put in a good restaurant and cute local shops! Make it a cute little shopping area again.

  • Carl November 14, 2019 at 11:05 pm Reply

    I think that Logan City should look at Trolley Square in Salt Lake.

  • Keith Laursen November 14, 2019 at 11:14 pm Reply

    Don’t tear it down its a sound building, can be repaired, it’s Logan history

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