Demolition Clock Still Ticking On Venerable Bank Building

Among fourth-year urban planning student Seamus Joyce-Johnson’s favorite buildings to visit in New Haven is a 1948-era late Art Deco or ​“art moderne” structure on Elm Street near Orange — the long vacant, old Webster bank building at 80 Elm St.

He’s going to have to make a lot of visits within the next month or two, because the demolition clock is ticking away.

Joyce-Johnson pleaded for some adaptive re-use of the structure at the regular meeting of the Historic District Commission (HDC) this past Wednesday night.

At stake is the fate of building architected by R.W. Foote and originally serving as a church before housing bank branches.

The building is listed in the city’s Historic Resources Inventory. Spinnaker Real Estate purchased it last November and plans to demolish it to make way for a small hotel or apartments on that property and an adjoining lot. The plan has triggered a 90-day delay to give preservationists a chance to weigh in.

The delay, mandated by city ordinance, applies when demolition of a building of significance is in play.

At the HDC’s meeting in May, preservationists, several of whom recalled opening among their first bank accounts in the building, urged commissioners to press the developer to consider preserving some elements in an adaptive reuse of the structure.

On Wednesday night, young architect-to-be Joyce-Johnson added his voice to theirs, presenting to the commissioners a copy of a letter he wrote and sent to the buildings department.

At the May meeting, the commissioners voted to coordinate with the city staff to talk with Spinnaker about its plans. But Commissioner Susan Godshall expressed concern Wednesday night that she had not heard of any such meeting.

“Everyone’s anxious and worried but steps aren’t being taken,” she said.

City Plan Deputy Director Tom Talbot confirmed that the 90-day clock is indeed ticking away and is in effect only till July 22. He said a meeting did occur between city officials and Spinnaker on May 24.

Godshall said it was distressing that commissioners were not included. She said she is puzzled by a sense of ​“non-urgency” in the matter.

“It’s our actions that can change that,” replied HDC Chairwoman Trina Learned.

Talbot reported that at the May 24 meeting, city staff did express preservationists’ desire that all or part of the existing structure might be saved as Spinnaker moves ahead with plans for a boutique hotel or restaurant.

“Didn’t we vote to send a letter?”

“It should have been done,” said Godshall.

“We can’t go back in time. I’ll be glad to write a letter,“Learned replied.

Preservationist and New Haven Urban Design League President Anstress Farwell said, ​“My understanding is that the developer was going to get back to us regarding saving the vestibule, and other parts. We haven’t heard back yet. So a letter is a good idea.”

Talbot suggested that the HDC invite Spinnaker to the next formal meeting, and Learned agreed.

To young Joyce-Johnson, she added, ​“I’ll put your letter in” with the letter to be sent to the developer.