The Twin Cities German Immersion School will have to wait another two weeks to learn whether the former St. Andrew’s Church building it purchased six years ago will be designated a local historic site over its own objections.
The school has fought the prospect of a historic designation for the deconsecrated structure, which it hopes to demolish in order to build new classroom, cafeteria and gym space. Residents rallying under the name Save Historic St. Andrew’s have repeatedly opposed those plans, calling the 1920s-era Romanesque structure an architectural gem and community cornerstone.
At the request of St. Paul City Council President Amy Brendmoen, a council vote on a historic designation will be delayed to June 5 in order to allow for mediation between the two sides. Brendmoen, who lives in and represents the Como area, noted that the issue has become so highly charged, many residents have declined to share their feelings on the prospect of the proposed demolition and K-8 charter school expansion.
“The neighborhood does not have one voice on the question of historic preservation,” Brendmoen said.
Preservation advocates have released video renderings of how the interior of St. Andrew’s could be repurposed to create additional school space. Brendmoen noted, however, that even with a local historic designation slowing the expansion process, demolition might eventually proceed anyway.
“I have noticed people using ‘local designation’ synonymous with stopping demolition,” she said. “Designation alone will not save this building.”