Imperial Tobacco Warehouse Fate

Source from:  Christine Kennedy May 28, 2008 05/29/2008

Five weeks after the historical Imperial Tobacco Warehouse was intentionally set on fire the owners now have decided on its fate. The smoke stack and the water tower of the tobacco house will be torn down once permits to demolish it are complete. Mike Wilson told us over the phone they're paying a fortune to clean up what an arsonist left behind. Greenville City inspectors say due to the circumstances the only recourse they have is to deem these structures unsafe and structurally unsound. The Historic Preservation Commission disagrees and says an engineer should make that call and hope the owners will reconsider. The Historic Preservation Commission decided Tuesday to send a letter to the owners asking them to have the structure evaluated by an engineer so the smoke stack and water tower can be salvaged. Enditem