Columbia council to vote on downtown demolitions

Monday night at 7, Columbia city council members will be voting on an ordinance that could delay the process of demolishing certain buildings downtown Columbia. Shakepeare’s Pizza could be one of those buildings.

The proposed ordinance establishes an administrative delay on the processing of applications for demolishing structures located on the National Register of Historic Places. This means the popular restaurant Shakespeare’s could be on the chopping block.

One part of the bill said the council finds the preservation of historic properties needs to stay in the public interest for future generations for people in Columbia. By public interest the council refers to the cultural, educational and economic benefits of the downtown area.

The ordinance is designed to slow down the demolition process of buildings over fifty years old and one amendment removes the reference to the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Deputy City Manager, Tony St. Romaine confirms to ABC 17 News even if the ordinance passed, Shakespeare’s could still be demolished even though it isn’t quite fifty years old.