Grassroots group "Save Studio A" has released an independent report on the condition of the historic RCA Victor Studio that disproves its new owner's claims that it is "beyond repair." The group, comprised of preservationists and concerned citizens, is engaged in a time-sensitive battle to save the landmark recording studio from hasty demolition in order to make room for yet another block of condominiums. The Studio A property was included in the "Nashville Nine" annual list of endangered historic properties released by Historic Nashville, Inc. on September 23, 2014.
The
new four-page memo commissioned by Save Studio A and compiled by
construction management firm Building Trust, Inc. draws a sharp contrast
to the owner's claims, ultimately quoting the estimated cost of
updating or "saving" the 50-year-old building at less than $375,000.
The
report, attached here, was compiled using information from public tax
records, satellite images and public photos, "For Sale By Owner"
documents, discussions with existing and past tenants, records of recent
upgrades and repairs, and two reports provided by the current owner himself through news media.
When Bravo Development's Tim Reynolds
acquired the property in July of this year, he publicly vowed to
preserve and incorporate the legendary studio into his plans for
development. In September, Reynolds backpedaled on that promise,
evicting all tenants effective November 30, 2014, citing structural and engineering challenges that he claims render the building "beyond saving." On September 18, following public comments
that the Save Studio A group believed Reynolds' claims to be
exaggerated, Bravo Development's law firm served the group's founder and
Save Studio A with a Cease and Desist notice. The notice is attached here.
"If
Mr. Reynolds' claims about Studio A are true, we urge him to welcome
the public and news media to visit the building and photograph the
'catastrophic conditions' he has described, if they actually exist,"
said Trey Bruce,
award-winning songwriter, producer and founder of Save Studio A.
"Instead, he is trying to keep us quiet with Cease and Desist notices.
Our community wants to know why the headlines don't match the facts."
Building
Trust Inc. consultants note that neither of the reports submitted by
Mr. Reynolds were compiled by qualified environmental engineering firms;
in fact, both of the reports Mr. Reynolds uses to support his "beyond
repair" claims recommend that he hire a qualified firm to perform such
an assessment. Neither of Reynolds' reports includes claims about
specific hazardous materials identified in the building, though he has
repeatedly claimed in news media that the building is infested with mold
and asbestos. The new report asks for proof of these claims via a
properly conducted environmental assessment.
This isn't the first time one of Nashville's
music history landmarks has come dangerously close to being razed. In
the 1970s, despite its status as a historical and cultural music icon,
the Ryman Auditorium was nearly demolished due to its reported state of
structural disrepair.
"If anyone threatened the Ryman today, there would be a riot in Nashville," said Sharon House,
a tenant of 30 Music Square West. "Studio A's music history runs just
as deep. We can't call ourselves Music City if we're willing to turn our
backs on the institutions that have earned us that name. We have to
step up as a unified voice and protect the legacy of American music from
extinction."
"This is a Ryman moment," echoed Mr. Bruce. "Let's get it right."
Save Studio A is calling for concerned Nashville
residents and music fans worldwide to sign an online petition to help
preserve the historic site. Those interested in signing the Save Studio A
petition, learning more about the effort or tracking the Save Studio A
movement should visit SaveStudioA.com, like Save Studio A on Facebook or follow the group on Twitter.
SOURCE Save Studio ARELATED LINKS
http://savestudioa.com
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