PUBLISHED ON December 2, 2008
Yakima Herald-Republic
by LEAH BETH WARD YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
The Capitol Theatre Committee applied Monday to demolish the Wilson Building as part of the theater's expansion plan.
Backers of the project maintain the building at East Yakima Avenue and Third Street is structurally deficient and of little, if any, historical value. It was built in 1902 by George Wilson, a Scottish immigrant, farmer and businessman.
Under land use laws, city officials must conduct an environmental review as part of the demolition request because the building is both large and old, said Randy Beehler, community relations manager for the city.
The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation will review the demolition application and submit comments to the city.
Between public hearings and an appeals period, the entire review process will take at least 90 days, Beehler said.
Historic preservationists say they will participate by requesting an independent evaluation of the building, according to Scott Irons, a member of the Yakima Historic Preservation Commission.
"We would like to see the facade exposed to see what's there," Irons said.
The nonprofit Capitol Theatre, run by a board of 21 local people, purchased the building with private funds. The board operates the city-owned Capitol under contract.
The theater plans to build a multipurpose facility informally known as "the pavilion," which would include a box office, concessions and a small venue for entertainment.
