The owner of the Fifth Ward meetinghouse near the Granary District has shared his plans to restore the building to its original form if he receives approval from the city.
Skyler Baird, who created a nonprofit that bought the partially demolished structure, has indicated he wants to restore the building into a community gathering place.
Rather than rebuilding the front portion of the structure, which was added after the building was originally constructed, Baird wants to reconfigure the front of the building with a staircase that reflects the Fifth Ward’s original design.
“By securing and reconstructing the chapel, we aim to ensure that this historic landmark remains a cherished symbol of the past for future generations to appreciate and enjoy,” the group wrote.
The group said that it plans to reconstruct the building in a way that “accurately represents the historical design and construction techniques of the era.”
The Fifth Ward was built in 1910. The addition was added in 1937.
The building was partially demolished illegally in late March after its previous owner hired a one-man wrecking crew to tear down the entire structure without permits before city employees intervened. The wrecking crew had largely destroyed the addition and part of the facade of the long-neglected building.
The city began issuing daily fines that continued accumulating even after the building was sold to Baird. We reported last month that Salt Lake City had issued $40,200 in fines for the illegal demolition. Those fines continued piling up for Baird and would until he moved forward with reconstruction.
The new renderings, created by Knighton Architecture in Provo, show Baird is quickly moving forward.
“All documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the chapel will be examined to recreate its defining features accurately,” the group said.
Baird included historical photos that show the building before the addition was added. They show an imperial staircase facing 300 West.
Baird is organizing a brick sorting event and said he plans to use the original bricks that are lying on the site as part of the restoration.
The Fifth Ward cost an estimated $15,000 to build, or about $500,000 when adjusted for inflation. It was designed by the architecture firm Cannon & Fetzer.
Records outlining the incorporation of Baird’s nonprofit show he’s one of three managers who plan to provide transitional housing. The documents list Skyler Baird as the director of the organization. Ruta Baird and Melodee Paul are also listed as trustees.
“Our nonprofit provides transitional housing and support services for individuals in need,” the group wrote. “We assist in finding permanent housing and offer educational programs to empower better life decisions, fostering stability and security for a brighter future.”
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