Ford Motor Co. will save some architectural features from its former 1920s-era assembly building, which is slated to be torn down soon as part of the ongoing demolition of the old auto factory in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood.
Donna Inch, head of Ford Motor's real estate subsidiary, told St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman this week that the company had decided to preserve parts of the historic facade on the building's northwest corner. The pieces include seven bays with fluted columns, medallions and light fixtures, red clay roof tiles and the frieze on the west side.
It wasn't immediately clear that the decision was new. A year ago, Ford site manager Mike Hogan was saying that the company planned to salvage part of the facade as well as some interior fixtures.
Architectural historian Brian McMahon, who lobbied hard to save part of the assembly building itself as well as the adjacent training center, said he was disappointed.
"I'm pleased to be able to save the pieces. It's a gesture. It has some value," said McMahon, who has written about the plant. "But it's not going to mean much in a setting removed from the history of the activity that happened there."
Coleman, however, said he was pleased with Ford's decision to save the facade, which he said would be incorporated into future site redevelopment.
"I look forward to working with Ford and the developer to create a fitting memorial on the site," he said in a statement.
And Council Member Chris Tolbert, who represents the area, said he was satisfied. "This recognizes the special place these buildings hold in our community, while balancing the need to prepare the site for redevelopment," he said.
