Norton vetoes decision to maintain Legends site

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton has vetoed a council action to maintain the former Legends building, 11 Fourth Street SE.

In a letter Tuesday to members of the City Council, the mayor called the decision to maintain the building “an unwise use of city tax dollars.”

“Having the building remain will only maintain and extend an unnecessary tension and complicate the redevelopment of this site,” wrote Norton.

She added, “demolition should be done as quickly as possible so that the clean site is available for redevelopment.”

Last week the council voted 4-2 not to designate the site, once home to Red Owl store and Time Theater, a historic landmark. However, in an ensuing vote, the council opted to preserve the structure while the city pursues a strategic plan for the waterfront area, which includes the building.

“To tear it down prematurely — before we have even heard from our community, or proposals, or anyone that might want to step in to use those buildings as a facade … to incorporate some larger, more grand design that may highlight that time period that we don’t have any architecture from — would be really sad,” said Ward 4 Councilor Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick.

Keeping the building in tact is expected to cost the city about $18,200 in utility fees every six months. The council also supported investing up to $20,000 for removal of signage and awnings from the building.

The motion to maintain the structure passed with four votes, with one member, Ward 2’s Mark Bransford, absent for the meeting. The council would need five of seven votes to override the mayor’s veto.

Even if the mayor’s veto does stand, it would not necessarily mean the property would immediately be demolished. Doing so would likely require additional council action, further complicating the process.

The city purchased the building in 2013 with the intent of redeveloping the site. It has sat empty since Legends bar moved out earlier this year.

Prior to the council denying it landmark status, the Heritage Preservation Commission had recommended the building be designated historic.

In her letter, the mayor said while she believes demolition is in the best interest of the city, she would be open to preserving some of its history.

“It has been shared with me that there is interest in determining if there may be portions of the facade that could be reused,” said Norton. “I am willing to support a resolution to demolish the building that includes language that might allow for the preservation of reusable materials if there is a source for such a product.”

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.