HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – One week after Blue Streak Printers was declared an unsafe structure and the surrounding area was blocked off, the Hopkinsville City Council held a special called meeting to approve demolition of the historic building. This decision came after a second safety inspection was done which revealed additional issues.
Located at 116 East Ninth Street, the building opened as the Rex Theater in November 1912. It was eventually a locally operating commercial printing business called Blue Streak Printers and was later acquired by the city for $500,000. This demolition will completely clear one side of East Ninth Street, with the other two adjacent buildings also torn down in recent years.
Demolition was unanimously approved by present councilmembers on during the special called meeting on Oct. 28 at the additional cost of $58,000.
More safety issues revealed before vote, demolition to occur ASAP
“In a nutshell, it’s worse than we thought,” said Kelly Garder with Gardner Engineering & Consulting PLLC. His more extensive evaluation on Oct. 24 revealed that four out of the five wooden roof trusses that are holding up the building have been compromised, and the front wall is in danger of collapse. Photos show that plaster crumbled off of the walls due to bowing and cracking as a result of compression from the failed roof.
This coupled with a closer look at the warped walls and sagging ceilings led to the opinion that the structure poses a serious safety risk to the public. The condition of the interior of the building was unknown when the city purchased it. City Attorney Doug Willen believes that putting the building up for sale in its current condition or continuing to let it sit would leave the city liable.
With Hopkinsville Code Enforcement taking the reins for demolition, Fire Chief Steve Futrell explained to Christian County Now that the ball will start rolling pretty fast on this project, and it is expected to be extremely dangerous and tough process. He had plans to meet with contractors the day after the vote passed.
“I am all for selling that whole piece of dirt,” said Mayor J.R. Knight during the meeting. After demolition is completed, he is anticipating that the city will put the expansive lot up for sale, making way for a developer to build a new structure that will accommodate new apartments and businesses while matching the aesthetic of downtown.
Mayor’s thoughts, ongoing involvement from community
Mayor Knight shared with Christian County Now that he believes this decision will help move downtown into the next phase of development saying, “This will change the way this whole corner looks, which is the busiest corner in downtown.”
He shared the changes to the downtown landscape also impact him, reflecting on childhood memories shopping for Christmas and Easter clothes, as well as visiting the drug store with his mom.
“It was a big change for me because me and dad used to eat at Little Chef there on Main Street together and then we would go to Truman’s and play pool in the backroom,” Knight said. “It’s always hard to see things change, but with the dilapidation of these buildings we have to move forward.”
Throughout ongoing debates regarding various historic buildings, community members have been vocal on social media and in person. Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County Director Alissa Keller is an individual who is always present at these talks, and has been offering up research to support those who chose to speak about support preserving downtown.
“I know that our downtown is what makes us different and unique, it gives this whole community a sense of place and a sense of identity,” said Keller after the vote. “I think at some point it becomes bigger than any individual building, it’s the pattern…the concern comes from not knowing the plan or the vision for what comes next.”
A timeline has not been set for demolition, but Fire Chief Futrell said the public and surrounding businesses will be notified of any road closures.
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