A decision that could affect the future of a century-old building in south Louisville has been delayed to allow for further negotiations.Some local residents asked the Louisville Metro Landmarks Commission to declare the old Colonial Gardens complex a local landmark. Developers, who say it's too expensive to renovate, want to tear it down and put up a commercial center with a similar architectural theme.At its Thursday meeting, the commission postponed a vote on the request for landmark status.Metro Planning and Design Services Department Director Charles Cash says a 90 day delay will give the developers time to explore alternatives to demolition."Essentially, everything is stopped where it is. The developer agrees not to pursue demolition. The commission agrees not to act on the designation," Cash said.Colonial Gardens was built in 1902 at the corner of Kenwood Drive and New Cut Road, where it began as a beer garden and later housed a series of nightclubs.It has been vacant for the past five years.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.