Empty lot remains at historic church site

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It's been a year since the St. Francis of Assisi church was rushed to demolition, and some Provo preservationists are upset because nothing has happened on the lot. It's empty.

Tommy George, the Catholic parish's real estate agent, blames the city's reluctance to change the zoning for the property and the fight over whether the building should have been preserved.

Demolition of the 84-year-old church, built in the Spanish mission style, began in July 2007.

The congregation had outgrown the building and moved to a larger one in Orem. At one point, there were plans to convert St. Francis into a civic center for the city's Latinos.

The owner tells The Salt Lake Tribune that he's had a number of deals for the land, but they all fell through. He's now thinking about dividing the lot into small parcels.

E-mail: athomas@ksl.com