The former First Christian Church property Saturday was designated an historic site, following a ruling by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review.
The 112-year-old building is currently owned by Riley County, who have previously expressed an intent to demolish the building. County Chair John Ford tuned in to the hearing Saturday held by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review.
The move now complicates how the county proceeds with demolition. The board also has approved designating the F.B Forrester House on Juliette Ave. and the former Dawson’s Conoco Service Station at 11th and Poyntz as historic sites.
Ford has expressed in previous meetings that the current building does not meet the county’s future needs. While no plans are in place for the future of the site, there is the potential to raze it and replace a new building for additional office space. Commissioner Kathryn Focke, who has supported keeping the building, also tuned in to Saturday’s meeting.
The church property will now be passed on for consideration for the National Historic Register.
