City Eyes Building for ‘Historic Landmark’ Status

The may become the third building in Lakewood’s history to get the designation of historic landmark.

But it must first get the green light from the city’s planning commission.

The has recommended that the nearly 100-year-old structure at 15422 Detroit Avenue receive the special distinction — which means that the building could never be demolished.

If approved, the structure would join only and the as Lakewood’s buildings with a historic landmark status. 

“It is one of Lakewood’s iconic civic buildings,” said Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development. “That style and scale of the building make it a rare building in Lakewood.”

According to the application, the stone building boasts a number of significant architectural features including detailed masonry work.

Designed by Charles Draper Faulkner — the architect behind dozens of First Church of Christ, Scientist structures in the Midwest — the large two-story building’s construction began in 1913.

Church services took place in the basement until the upstairs was completed in 1922.

The building, situated just to the west of the , was sold in 2004 to a commodity plastics trading firm, which extensively renovated the property.

And last year, the structure — most recently home to Maxxum Plastics — closed its doors and was put up for sale. According to court documents, the company ceased operations in Lakewood in 2009.

According to a 2008 tax assessment, the property and the building are valued at $1.8 million. The property — including the 23,000-square-foot building — was put on the market for $2.5 million.

A California-based phone company now owns the property. 

“It’s a very strong candidate for the historic designation and we look forward to a thorough discussion at the planning commission meeting,” Siley said, adding that the is also a “great candidate” for historic preservation.

City ordinance, passed in 2009, requires that the historic designations must appear before the planning commission twice. The first meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday.