Wrecking ball in church building's future

Tear it down.

That's my gut reaction to the ongoing debate over the Bradenton Revival Temple.

Since coming to this community more than a decade ago, I've developed a real affinity for its rich heritage and the efforts to preserve it.

But I don't feel that way toward the old, vacant church on the 700 block of Manatee Avenue West.

With all respect to Cathy Slusser, the knowledgeable director of historic resources for the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, it is far from "a charming building" as she described it.

It is an eyesore.

Hardly a beacon of welcome into downtown Bradenton.

More like blight.

Renovating the building for law offices was the intention of attorneys Melton Little and Scott Kallins upon buying it in 2001. Then they realized it was not financially feasible and it has deteriorated to this day.

On Wednesday the Bradenton City Council postponed until Sept. 9 any decision on the attorneys' request to demolish the building.

The hope is a "white knight" will ride in and pony up a minimum $2 million to save the building and renovate it.

In this economic climate?

I doubt it.

Get the wrecking ball ready.