UPDATE (Dec. 4, 1:57 p.m.)—Demolition of the former Poor Little Rich Girl bridal shop has been delayed at least two weeks to allow the structure to be bought or moved.
Find updated information in the article, 'Poor Little Rich Girl' Demolition Delayed After Protest Planned.
---
UPDATE (Dec. 4, noon)—Some community members plan to protest the demolition outside the structure on Wednesday evening. Mark Patro wrote a blog post on Patch to promote the event.
---
UPDATE (Dec. 3, 2:44 p.m.)—The former location of the Poor Little Rich Girl formal wear shop—an aging house at 9010 Belair Rd.—could be demolished this week.
"The community deserves better than what it is today. We want to be good neighbors, so it needs to come down," said George Perdikakes, who manages the property owned by Koros LLC.
Perdikakes called the house "ugly" and an "eyesore," and said its demolition is in direct response to a request from County Councilman David Marks last summer.
The tear-down may occur on either Wednesday or Thursday of this week, pending clearance by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. Demolition, which includes asbestos removal, will likely cost around $25,000, Perdikakes said.
Before falling into disrepair, the structure held an iconic place in the heart of Perry Hall.
Poor Little Rich Girl—at the time, a popular consignment shop—was sold to Linda Fike more than 20 years ago. Fike discontinued consignment more than 10 years ago to focus on formal wear and bridal gowns. In 2010, she moved the shop to an office space across the street at 9105 Belair Rd.
Fike said she plans to retire at the end of the year, and expects to either sell or close the shop.
While the former Poor Little Rich Girl location shares a property area with Double-T Diner at 4140 Joppa Rd., the diner is expected to remain as is, Perdikakes said.
There are currently no plans for a new structure at 9010 Belair Rd., although property owners are considering several options, Perdikakes added.
"Last summer, I requested that this structure either be cleaned up, repaired, or demolished. Many residents had complained to me about its appearance," Marks stated in an email to Patch.
The house and diner are included in Perry Hall's commercial revitalization district.
Approved in May 2011, the zone extends along Belair Road, from Blakeley Avenue in the south to Minte Drive in the north. It also includes Joppa Road, between Seven Courts Drive and Belair Road, as well as Ebenezer Road, from Belair Road to Yvonne Avenue.
Businesses in the zone are eligible for special financing, free design services and other forms of county assistance.
New structures in the zone are also subject to Baltimore County Design Review Panel standards, as required by legislation approved in August.
"The legislation I sponsored last summer will require better design standards at the site, and I've already made it clear to the owner that I would like this corner significantly upgraded," Marks stated.
Which aging structures in Perry Hall are most in need of a tear-down and rebuild? Tell us in the comments.
http://www.mdihp.net/dsp_county.cfm?search=county&criteria1=R&criteria2=BA&criteria3=&id=3365&viewer=true
Do you have ANY idea the costs associated with restoring this structure for government use? Personally I don't want my tax dollars going towards it
Then in the spirit of debate, how about you stop being so vague and explain exactly what it is that I said that you object to...
yes it is old, but that doesn't make it cultural... and even if restored i fail to see the aesthetic value... this building nor the architecture of it are not exceptionally beautiful... and as for the "appeal" of Perry Hall, I'm not sure what you are looking at...I LOVE this neighborhood, born and raised here... but there is nothing about the Bel Air Rd corridor that I find pleasing to the eyes...it is a hodge-podge collection of old houses that have been converted into mostly unsuccessful businesses, many of which are in disrepair and not many of which have any real aesthetic appeal... In my opinion, preserving this even older and more run down structure would not improve in any way the cultural or aesthetic value of my beloved Perry Hall
That being, in any preservation action, the current owner of the property must be compensated, whether by mutually agreed upon sale, or compensation for loss if done by government action... If you, or any organization wishes to step forward and pay market value and preserve/restore this particular structure, I applaud you for your effort....however, in this particular case, I FIRMLY oppose any government action to strip the current owner of their property rights OR to fund any such venture through County or State funds...there have been structures in Perry Hall that I would support government intervention....but in this case I fail to see the Cultural/Historic/Aesthetic or economic value in Government action
I am always cautious of those that come forward for the greater good.