The future of a beautiful old historic building in downtown Benton called “The Palace,” is in question, due to it being deemed unsafe. THV did a good story on it a couple of days ago, interviewing Mayor David Mattingly and also longtime Benton resident Cristy Clark. According to the story, we have about 90 days to come up with an estimated $200,000 in restorative construction work to keep this building standing.
Below the video is an announcement from the City of Benton regarding the demolition of The Palace. I have not found a specific listing of The Palace being on the National Register of Historic Places, however, it may be included in the somewhat vague description of this listing:
Benton Commercial Historic District (added 2008 – – #08000706)
Portions of 100 and 200 blocks of N. Main, N. Market, N. East, W. South, and Sevier St. , Benton
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Cromwell, Edwin, Ginocchio, Frank
Architectural Style: Early Commercial, Italianate
Area of Significance: Commerce, Community Planning And Development, Archeology
Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner: Private , Local
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Funerary, Government, Recreation And Culture, Social
Historic Sub-function: Courthouse, Financial Institution, Hotel, Meeting Hall, Mortuary, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Commerce/Trade, Funerary, Government, Recreation And Culture, Social
Current Sub-function: Courthouse, Financial Institution, Meeting Hall, Mortuary, Specialty Store, Theater
The Palace used to house a number of businesses, including the Saline County Library, entertainment of various sorts and a dance hall for teens.
City of Benton’s announcement after recent City Council Meeting:
Tue, 6/9/2015 – 10:14 AM
Resolution 33 was passed, authorizing the mayor to proceed with demolition of the old Palace Theater located at 224 W. South Street. A survey of the building conducted by a structural engineer in the fall of 2014 found that the building was unsafe and presented a life safety hazard. It was the recommendation of the engineer to prohibit entry into the building and the city complied by locking it down.
After the council voted unanimously to approve the resolution, Mayor Mattingly stated, “It will take approximately 90 days to go out for bids and finalize all paperwork associated with the selection of a company to raze the old Palace Theater, as recommended by the structural engineer in his report dated August 21, 2014. During that time, anyone who has a valid plan of how they wish to see the Palace utilized, should notify my office or the City Attorney’s office, with blueprints of how they intend to remodel or renovate. Further, any credible plan submitted will be reviewed by the Community Services Committee to ensure compliance with all current city building codes. I recommended to council a 12 month window be established from the time a plan is submitted and accepted by the Community Services Committee, to completion of the remodel/renovation. An established selling price of the building will be determined by the Community Services Committee and approved by full council. When and if a plan is accepted, we will require a release of liability be executed and the potential new owner will be responsible for any liability issues.”
A date has not been set for demolition at this time.
Kickstarter campaign too, maybe their are grants to go after regarding historical business. Would be a shame to lose what was once Benton.
Now, there’s a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-The-Palace/1446075539027256
I bet this building is sturdier than city hall ~!
UPDATE:
Meeting for
“Save the Palace”
will be held
Saturday June 13th @ 6:00 pm
at
Gospel lighthouse church
on the
Corner of River St. And Hazel St.