(Toledo, OH) The historic St. Anthony Catholic Church along Nebraska Avenue won't be torn down anytime soon.
Toledo's building and zoning officials have issued a stop work order on demolition of the church, just one day after Toledo's mayor joined Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur in a public call to save the abandoned structure. A statement from the mayor's office indicates the demolition permit has yet to be a pproved because building inspections officials don't have any documentation that water and sewer caps have been performed.
A fence around the perimeter of St. Anthony's also is out-of-compliance, because a contractor never signed for the permit to erect a six-foot barrier. No tear down will be permitted until proper paperwork is in order.
The director of the Lucas County land bank says the diocese has refused repeated requests for meetings to save the iconic church, which has stood empty for 13 years.