On October 28, 2009, the Courier-Journal published this article: “Owners still seek buyer for Colonial Gardens”

It is certainly very good news that the Schmid family, the long-term owners of Colonial Gardens, have put off working for a hardship appeal to demolish the landmark and are faithfully seeking a buyer for the property.  Since there are very stringent requirements for a successful appeal, it certainly makes sense to finally give the building a chance to survive and finally be restored.

Bill Bardenwerper, the Schmid’s attorney, says in the article that if anyone is interested in buying the property, he may be contacted at 502-426-6688.  This is certainly a great opportunity for a developer to re-engage the splendid heritage of this key historical South End property and make a very positive name for themselves in the process.  A restored Colonial Gardens would certainly be a delightful, attractive jewel for the area, like it was in its heyday.

Also interesting in the article is the suggestion by the South End Investment Group, the developers who wished to demolish this landmark, that anyone in the community who supported the landmarking of the building be somehow directly involved with buying and restoring the property.  That would be like saying when you, as an ordinary citizen, support any idea, political or otherwise, you have to be the only financial backer to see the idea come into full force.  Nothing has ever worked that way.  Supporters of landmarking are community citizens who always had the right, under law, to protect Colonial Gardens, and no further obligation befalls them.

That said, of course, the supporters of landmarking Colonial Gardens are likewise supportive of any buyer who wishes to restore the property according to landmark code.  And conversations behind the scenes are ongoing.  Nobody is giving up on Colonial Gardens.  Nobody.  Nobody will rest until the building is restored.