NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A North Little Rock landmark of more than 100 years will not be rebuilt after a fire damaged it in March.
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor with the Diocese of Little Rock shared a statement on Thursday saying that the St. Joseph Orphanage building, “cannot be salvaged at a reasonable rate compared to the cost to rebuild.”
North Little Rock Fire Department responding to fire at St. Joseph Center
Taylor explained that the cost to restore the building would be over $20 million, not including installing air conditioning and the cost of operating the building.
“Sadly, the most prudent decision for the future of that property and the people of the diocese is to demolish the building — and the Diocesan Finance Council, Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council all concur unanimously in this decision,” Taylor said.
Artist uses charcoal from St. Joseph’s Home fire to create hopeful artwork
“I know this decision will displease quite a few people, but I am convinced that we have no other realistic alternative,” Taylor continued. “This is doubly sad because of all our memories of the good work done by the Benedictine sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery with the St. Joseph Orphanage, as well as our other memories of this historic building and the desire we naturally share to see it preserved.”…