KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — It appears that it will take a miracle to save the Mother House at the old Nazareth Campus.
Last night the Kalamazoo Planning Commission held a hearing on a request from the Sisters of St. Joseph for a demolition permit.
The century old building may be pleasant to look at, but it’s expensive to maintain and no longer serves the purposes of the Nuns. They have already moved into a new residential structure.
Sister Patricia Warbritton says they may not save the buildings, but sculptures, historic and architectural features will be sparred.
Efforts to find a practical use for the building, or some group that could use the 120 year old building it for some other purpose have gone on for years and they have yet to find anyone who was interested.
Local housing officials have also examined some of the old Nazareth dorms that are slated for “deconstruction”, and determined that it would not be economically feasible to convert them into low income housing.
Local historic preservationists have been urging them to try harder to find someone, but unless they surface soon, demolition could begin this summer.
Planning Commissioners asked for modifications to the demolition plan and sent the request back to the Site Plan Review Committee for their approval.
Without some 11th hour intervention, divine or otherwise, it seems the permits will be approved.
