BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. – A drama is afoot here over this little hurricane-hit town’s dilapidated link to Hollywood and its best-known landmark to the outside world.
Just as in “This Property is Condemned,” the 1966 movie featuring Natalie Wood and Robert Redford that brought Bay St. Louis its 15 minutes of Silver Screen fame, there is passion, there is love and there is anger.
And there is concern that what happens here could be a preview of the fate of other historic properties in Katrina’s wake.
At issue is the big yellow building where Blaize Avenue turns into Third Street, just across and down from the Old Depot. Vacant and roofless for years, but still looking a lot as it did in 1966, the building starred as a boardinghouse in director Sydney Pollack’s version of a Tennessee Williams play.
The film, with its screenplay by a young Francis Ford Coppola and a cast that also included Charles Bronson, Robert Blake and Kate Reid, was not critically acclaimed. Playing a Depression-era railroad executive, Redford, just 28 when the film was shot, comes to town – the mythical Dobson, Miss., in the movie – to slash payroll and falls in love with the local beauty played by Wood.
Now local developer Kevin Haas wants to use the parcel where the 6,600-square-foot building stands as part of a 20-unit townhouse project. Haas says his plans would mean curtains for the big yellow house, which is too far gone to save.
Word of Haas’ proposal sent Bay St. Louis preservationists into action. They persuaded longtime Councilman Jim Thriffiley to push through an ordinance that would make it a bit harder for builders to demolish historically significant structures that are not protected by other state or federal laws.
Ordinance requires owner 'counseling'
“If they apply for a demolition permit, they have a 30-day information period,” Thriffiley explained. “They would be required to get counseling about trying to restore the building rather than tear it down.” That counseling would especially focus on “the economic benefits” of keeping at least parts of historic buildings in new developments, he said, citing a hypothetical example in which $100,000 in rehab spending could net $104,000 in tax credits and deductions.
“Just preserve it,” said Theresa Kirk, who with her husband, Michael, is buying the house next door. “I don’t care if they make condos. I don’t care if there’s 15 people living there. I don’t care if they stay drunk all the time. Just save it. It’s a big deal for our little town to have something like that.”
Thriffiley says he pushed the 30-day law over fears of what outside speculators might do in the wake of Katrina. “We didn’t want any sneaky Pete deals where we’d wake up the next morning and all our historical structures were gone,” he said. He’s hopeful that Haas and the local builders with whom he works – Thriffiley makes it clear he thinks they are “wonderful people” and “I love ’em to death” – will look carefully at the incentives to saving the house.
A poster promoting the movie "This Property is Condemned" hangs on the wall inside Benigno's, a restaurant just down the street from the building where the movie was filmed. (Jim Seida / MSNBC.com)
Bay St. Louis architect Kevin Fitzpatrick is a little more wary. Haas “is a guy who has made his living for years clearing land and knocking down everything that’s vertical,” Fitzpatrick said.
“He thinks he’s going to be able to build townhouses. It’s not even zoned for townhouses,” said Fitzpatrick, who used to run the Bay St. Louis Building Department. “He knows it was famous and he knows it was in the movie. But he’s not interested, so he’s going to tear it down.”
Haas, who had a contract to buy the property before Katrina struck, is already tired of reactions like that, not to mention the new ordinance. “That law don’t affect me at all,” he said. “I can tear it down and do whatever I want. It’s not a historical site, it never was and it’s not going to be.”
Haas says his townhouses would be a boon to Bay St. Louis, which saw Katrina land a sucker-punch to its tax base on the order of one that Bronson delivers to Redford in the movie.
As far as saving the house, Haas said experienced builders have told him no way. “You’re looking at 11 years of weather exposure,” he said. As to tax incentives for saving it, “I’ve never done anything like that.”
Fitzpatrick, who worked on preservation of the Old Depot, also featured in the movie, believes the building is “eminently salvageable."
"I just know intuitively, having done a lot of this work," he said. "… The masonry shell isn’t going anywhere. There’s an infinitude of different kinds of things you could insert into it. Just save the damn façade.”
Fitzpatrick says that in addition to its role in the movie, the structure should be preserved for its use of “rusticated block, which was made locally” and “attempts to replicate 14th- or 15th-century architecture.”
Battle sure to be replayed
Dale St. Amant of the Hancock County Historical Society said the issues surrounding the building are sure to be replayed many times as the region digs out from Katrina. Before the storm, preservationists pushed for “a long period of time” for local measures to protect historic homes in Bay St. Louis, she said, but property owners were “just afraid that they were going to be told what to do with their house and what color to paint it.”
Now, she says, she’s hearing from some townspeople that they wished those measures were in place as the city struggles to preserve its identity in the wake of the hurricane. Bay St. Louis had a “whole book full” of registered historic buildings – “registered, nor protected,” she emphasizes – that suffered every fate from being completely wiped away by Katrina to surviving mostly intact.
According to St. Amant, the house in “This Property is Condemned” was built in 1929 by Henri Scafide, a businessman and onetime Bay St. Louis mayor who used it as a residence and a store. It also served as a soft-drink bottling plant at one point, St. Amant said. But the movie was clearly its biggest claim to fame. “A lot of townspeople were in the movie,” she recalled. “It was a very exciting time for Bay St. Louis.”
Haas said local sentiment like that may not be worth fighting. “I’m a businessman, I buy and sell land. I might put a for sale sign on it,” he said. “I told Jim Thriffiley if this building means so much to Bay St. Louis, why don’t they buy it from me?”
Fitzpatrick welcomes the notion of the property going back on the market. “I know someone who would buy it from him in a heartbeat,” the architect said.
'My religion, more or less'
EMAIL THIS
TRACKBACKS
Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do no appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/454638/4741907
advertisement
A business man who has never looked for tax incentives?....I smell FISH!...no maybe bologna
andy,booneville ms. (Sent May 1, 2006 9:00:12 AM)
The sad commentary of rebuilding: only seeing dollar signs instead of keeping sentimental value that only residents would understand. Acknowledging that Mr. Haas was invovled in this story prior to Katrina, I'm sure that he's adding a lot of trauam to the town that isn't necessary - talk about Post Traumatic Stress, as mentioned in another story! Mr. Hass ought not to take such a hard line to the scarred residents. What harm is there in keeping one building - haven't enough of them been wiped away?
Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent May 1, 2006 11:56:07 AM)
Who cares? Bulldoze the thing. That's progress. If you want a memory preserved, snap a photo and get over it.
Mike Wilkins, Los Angeles, CA (Sent May 1, 2006 1:01:43 PM)
So why has it been sitting vacant, decaying, falling apart for the past 11 years if yall care so much about it? With the other problems that BSL has, caring about an old movie set from a movie that many people have never even heard of is pretty low on the totem pole, I'd say. As far as someone else "who would buy it from him in a heartbeat," make him an offer!! If he's the businessman this article makes him out to be, he'd be willing to sell at the right price and yall could protect a "town landmark". Otherwise, townhouses (or ANY type of housing!) would sure come in handy down there!!!
JB, Kalamazoo, MI (Sent May 1, 2006 2:19:18 PM)
I lived in BSL for 25 years. The place was a wreck as long as i can remember. In light of most of my family and friends living in FEMA trailers i think the quite questionable historical signifigance of the building can be over looked.
Michael Stockstill, Denham Springs. LA. (Sent May 1, 2006 4:07:31 PM)
Isn’t that the building that John Travolta walks by in the beginning of "Love Song for Bobby Long"?
AB, Long Beach, CA (Sent May 1, 2006 6:03:03 PM)
I always heard about the building and the movie and the excitement it brought to town...never remember knowing exactly which building it was. But maybe this is the time to revive the old girl.
When the depot was restored, a great building was saved and given back to the city...and it's received quite a bit of use! I remember peering into the dusty cracked windows of the old Depot at a flapping daily calendar from what seemed, back then, to be ages ago. (What was the date on the calendar...anyone know?) A big old round clock was still up on the wall, second and hour hand stopped, and there was dust and cob webs filling up the corners like memories...I thought it was a shame that a place like that just sat...frozen in time and unused. That changed, and I think many people are glad it did.
If someone has the funds and a plan... why not put the "Condemned" house back on the market and let them try. The Little Theatre has been destroyed...
Could it become a new community theatre, given it's theatrical associations? Or restored as a B&B? I do know that history runs deep in the Bay, and if it could be restored, many folks would probably appreciate it. Do locals have the funds to restore it now? Probably not. Should it happen at the expense of the city, which is really struggling. No. (They don't have the resources.) But if there is a private investment interest willing to take it on...why not? What's the rush? If it has to be structurally rebuilt with salvaged parts, saving the facade...why not? I say, if you care and have the funds, go for it. Write a grant, contact someone with more than a little extra cash and a passion for this sort of thing. Don't make Haas into the bad guy. Either come up with restoration plans, or allow him to move cautiously forward. Anyone out there feel this project calling out to you...maybe you can give Mr. Haas a call. Sounds like he's open to negotiation.
Laurie, CO (Sent May 1, 2006 7:50:13 PM)
Terri and Mike, I guess outsiders will never understand about that place. Keep fighting the good fight and keep the carpet baggers from turning our town into a plastic society. They don't know about our "Good Life" that we lived before, and we will rebiuld that same style in time. Love to you and all TGL crew.
Irene R. Mason, Waveland, MS (Kings Point, NY) (Sent May 1, 2006 10:40:59 PM)
To Mike Wilkins in LA:
Why don't you think before you type? My house, along with just about every other house in Waveland, was destroyed. I couldn't even locate portions of the structure, not to mention my entire history up until that point. Not only is this building historic, but it is still standing. Maybe if you stood at Beach Blvd & Main St (Olde Town in the Bay) you would understand just how significant a standing building is down there. Since you have not seen, it might be better if you just give the people a little credit. We do have brains, and we know how to use them. Think about that while you sit in your nice office and drink that cup of Starbucks.
Irene R. Mason, Waveland, MS (Kings Point, NY) (Sent May 1, 2006 10:49:29 PM)
Maybe they could save the facade, but divide the building into condos or whatever. It looks like it would take a lot of work, but it would give the town a good return and people a place to live. I kind of like the old blocks.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent May 2, 2006 1:50:25 AM)
It's hard to let go of the past. It's scary to step into an unknown future. But, in reality, people need good housing in the wake of this disaster. I say build where its proven to withstand horrible weather. If this building could survive in the shape it is in, build safe housing on this spot! Think of the safety of your community ahead of the loss of an old friend.
God Bless!
Lisa Halbert, Beautiful Fingerlakes, NYS (Sent May 2, 2006 8:02:08 AM)
It's a forgettable house in a forgotten movie--bulldoze it, build something better, then cast it in a better movie.
Chris Mathison, Atlanta, GA (Sent May 2, 2006 8:39:00 AM)
Funny how people are always interested in spending someone else's money to "restore" a cheesy building that had a brief appearance in a B-movie. Also, why all the sudden interest in a building that has all but fallen down and has had no roof since Hitler was a corporal? Around here (New Mexico), people will buy a quarter-acre then demand to restrict all building and development on land as far as the eye can see ... and, out here in the West, that is a Really L-O-N-G way.
Gene Dees, Albuquerque, NM (Sent May 2, 2006 8:52:27 AM)
We have a building like that in Naugatuck the small town where I live. It is run down but its us locals only link to the industrial past naugatuck had and the famous Uniroyal plant that made our little town of 5 square miles famous. Outsiders don't realize how important it is to the residents who were born and raised there. Save the building.
Dawn, Naugatuck, CT (Sent May 2, 2006 9:00:02 AM)
I love BSL, I grew up in New Orleans and visited there all the time. I think the town should buy the building. Then have volunteers along with trained construction crews restore it, like Habitat does. The charm of the Guld Coast is/was it's old southern homes, etc. Hurricanes have been destroying mansions, etc.along the coast since the 1960's. Also, they could apply for grants to save the building. Preservation Society's have a place at the table. They have been responsible for keeping many wonderful buildings all over the country.
SJ Oconnor, c'ville, Va. (Sent May 2, 2006 10:35:39 AM)
Kevin Haas has been doing this type of thing for years. No one thought that Hancock County needed Strip Clubs, but there was Kevin, buying land and trying to get one up and running. No one else thought of building condos on our beaches, especially with hurricanes and such, but there was Kevin, buying up land and forcing the county to design condo zones. Now, with everyone else busy with their lives, and no one believes that we need to build condos in the Depot section of town, but there is Kevin. It seems Kevin only does these things because 1. He has the money to make people squirm. 2. He like to see people squirm.
When all of the conservationists came out in force against him both of these times, there he was, smiling for the press, making out like he was the saviour. Problem is, if he wasn't the stick stirring the catbox each time, there wouldn't need to be any saving done.
Michael Kirk, Bay St. Louis, MS (Sent May 2, 2006 6:08:25 PM)
Just so you all know. The house was not vacant prior to, during or after Katrina. There was a FEMA trailer on the property before Mr Haas bought it. Also other than the roof off on one end the house is preservable. I wish he would put a for sale sign on it. I know someone interested in. Thanks MSNBC for helping.
PhoenixRayne (Sent May 2, 2006 9:07:22 PM)
The Bay St. Louis Little Theatre's playhouse was completely destroyed, and a local architect has been conducting site evaluations on behalf of the Theatre. I'm confident that the Board of Directors would consider renovating this building if their architect and building committee thinks it's feasable.
Mr. Haas - how much would you consider selling it for? (e-mail me the response and I'll pass it along to the Board of Directors).
The community theatre is back! The musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" will be performed in June at Bay City Grill (thanks to the generosity of Chef Steve D'Angelo). Details will be posted on Bay St. Louis Little Theatre's website, http://www.bsllt.org/
The Theatre is glad to have somewhere to perform, but looks forward to having a home again.
Michelle, Picayune, MS (Sent May 2, 2006 10:46:33 PM)
Michael, just as the old relics stand against the forces of nature, there you are standing against the forces of man. In a society where bigger is better, prettier is more appealing and faux pax is more palatable, it is no wonder we must venture to Europe to find history and culture. Well, shame on America this time because now we can't close our eyes to the utter obliteration and tragedy within our walls. It takes crusaders Michael, it takes sheer guts to live your heart against the tide. Those who respond in a negative fashion don't know your loss and the heartwrenching conditions of the coast. Leave it US to think concrete and modern invention are what we base our culture upon. You and Terri are a testament of the south. We need to learn from you and we are inspired by your determination. And, call me crazy, but I'm trying to find that southern richness here, the B&B's, the sweet soulful jazz - oh yeah, I forgot, we need to "move on" and just give in to the loss.
I applaud you Michael and Terri.
Mary Gray [from you know where]
Mary (Sent May 3, 2006 10:12:44 AM)
Before moving to the Bay I had to put up with all the problems that went with living in Miami and later Dallas. It wasn't just the traffic but it's sad when you can't find your OWN house in a neighborhood because they all look the SAME. I would search out the areas of these big cities that were holding strong against destroying these beautiful, old building and coming back with the same old, same old type of construction. When I found the Bay and the Pass Christian area it was beyond my wildest dreams. I had actually been able to move to an area with affordable housing, great people and charming downtown areas. Well, my house in the Pass had 12 feet of water but we're building back (at this very moment)and I can hardly wait for the bridge to the Bay to be completed.
shine, long beach (but back to the pass soon) (Sent May 3, 2006 4:34:08 PM)
Michelle, I am thrilled to hear that you all were already considering the building/doing feasibility studies for the Little Theatre! It would be a great location...and could lead to further restoration of historic buildings in the area. Within walking distance to so many attractions present and probably in the future. How exciting. Come on Kevin. This is your town. Who you are and what people think of you matter so much in a place like the Bay! I think this would be good for you both! Give them a chance and see how it goes!
Laurie, CO (Sent May 4, 2006 8:02:37 PM)
I think it is unfair for people that have never visited Bay St. Louis to commment. If I lived in L.A. I probably wouldn't care either. The house was not open to the weather and over the years some work has been done on the house to preserve it. Mr Haas owns a dump site that was used as a disposal site for hurricane debris removed by the Army Corp and recently sold it for a comfortable sum. If Mr. Haas needed this money to raise his family I would understand. If my memory serves me correctly Mr Haas' wife grew up in the neighborhood where this house is located. I would think she would like to see it saved. Sell the house and let someone fix it. The hurricane has taken almost all of the historic structures lets save what we have left.
John, Bay St. Louis (Sent Jun 1, 2006 4:21:40 PM)
We have lost almost all of our historic buildings and beautiful homes. Let's not desstroy the little that is left. Mr. Haas apparently is more interested in strip clubs than he is in preserving what little we have. Perhaps he could move to Los Angelos. He should fit in there just fine!
Kathy, Bay St Louis, MS (Sent Jun 5, 2006 11:06:28 PM)
People who have not lived there or even visited after the hurricane, they have no understanding at all. I have been inside that building...it is NOT as bad as Kevin Haas would want you to think. This building is VERY sound, made to last for YEARS and YEARS and YEARS and YEARS. If refurbished, this building would be around another 100 years. (yes I know it is not 100 years old)
I wish the Little Theatre would buy that building....it would be too cool.
Vicki, Raleigh, NC - former BSL resident (Sent Jun 24, 2006 12:26:46 AM)
Michael gave me a tour of the building during our last trip to Bay St. Louis and it is quite a nostalgic place and certainly restorable. Granted it would take some money but wouldnt it restore some spirit back into this ravaged area.
Cliff (Sent Jul 13, 2006 1:16:07 PM)
Why should anyones opinion outside of Bay Saint Louis / Waveland count AT ALL. The town belongs to the residents. Go rag on the Corps of Engineers for their murderous work in the New Orleans area and demand reparations for all who were touched in the slightest to your elected reps. and stop dumping on us! We are Americans in your country.
William Yurt, New Orleans,La. (Sent Aug 23, 2006 1:49:47 PM)
I am a huge Natalie Wood/Robert Redford fan and this is one of my favorite movies. I believe I read somewhere that this movie was Natalie's personal favorite. I have been searching the Internet forever hoping to find this house, that the "Starr Boarding House" really did exist! I do hope the structure can be saved or at least partially salvaged (what about a tourist attraction/photo spot/tea room/gift shop, etc.?) I am sure there are many baby boomer Wood/Redford and Tennessee Williams fans out there that do know this film.
Lynne, Charlotte, NC (Sent Sep 24, 2006 9:56:12 PM)
You know what? Most people would look at the building and discuss the movie and say they are both crap. Well as a native of Bay St Louis, MS and a lover of movies and local history I say keep it! Restore it. Even before the storm I would roam the streets in my car at night wishing that all the vacant buildings that our town once had up running would run once more. Even the old theater in old town wasn't up and running but that didn't seem to matter now did it? Just because some high dollar donkey wants to put condos or town houses there doesnt mean its for the better. If some of you folks dont realize the price of living has gone up. Any house or apartment that this town rents or sells the price has gone up. And why? because of the storm-because people know that there is going to be some sucker that needs a place to stay so they will have to pay the price. I would rather see ALL of old town and the buildings by the depot fully restored. I would love for the town to take a step back in time and see what was accomplished years ago, what the city looked like, etc. Just because it was in a movie 41 years ago doesn't mean anything-its the fact that its historic. To some its an old piece of junk to others they understand it has meaning to plenty of bsl residents. I just wish that other major cities could see where we are coming from. I love this town and wish I could do more to help it get back where it needs to be. With my opinion stated I am ready to be critize by anyone who wishes to do so.
C.Poore,BAY ST LOUIS,MS (Sent Jan 20, 2007 5:01:51 PM)
At last, Linda Lou Nelson, the owner and builder of half of the Depot District has purchased the house and applied for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History grant to put the building back in shape. I'm sure it cost her a lot more than it should have, but at least the building will be preserved and will fit in with the continually growing area. Thanks.
Michael Kirk (Sent Apr 16, 2007 7:49:22 PM)
The Mississippi Department of History and Archives has put a grant of over $150,000 to the restoration of this building. Linda Lou plans on using it for a area meeting place, possibly for local art groups and theatre groups.
Michael Kirk Bay St. Louis, MS (Sent May 2, 2007 9:44:18 PM)
I happened on the movie by accident, and was touched by it. The old building and town are just beautiful, like something out of a Tennesse Williams story, which the movie was. I plan to visit there someday. I'm very happy the building is being saved.
R. Minor, Pittsburgh, Pa (Sent Aug 16, 2007 7:23:40 PM)
R. Minor
When you go visit Bay St Louis and stand in front of that building, take a walk to the building on the right and say hello to Michael & Theresa Kirk as they own the building that was the bar in that movie.
Vicki, Raleigh, NC - form BSL resident (Sent Aug 26, 2007 4:25:34 PM)
SEND A COMMENT
PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.