Erie outcry over planned demolition

ERIE, Colo. - After an outcry over the planned demolition of a 116-year-old Erie home, town trustees are now looking into the option of moving it.

Beneath the peeling pain and broken boards, Erie oldtimer Bill Fletcher sees memories.

"This was the playground. You had to be careful not to knock the ball into the fence onto Mrs. Charlesworth's flowers or she would get onto you," said Fletcher. "It used to be a really pretty home before they painted it."

The home at 675 Holbrook St was determined eligible for the National Register as one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture in Erie and for its association with several prominent Erie citizens, according to a letter from History Colorado to the town's Mayor.

Now owned by the town of Erie, in July, trustees voted to tear the house down to make room for future expansion of the town hall next door (which is in the old school building).

"We are bursting at the seams down here," said Mayor Pro TemRonda Grassi. "We want town hall to stay here. We think that's really important for our downtown area."

But several members of the historic preservation board protested the town's decision, first filing an unsuccessful injunction and then threatening to resign.

Members said there are funds available to restore and repurpose the home.

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Erie outcry over planned demolition