The remains of the former St. George Hotel, which stand amid the trendy Southside of downtown Chattanooga, are expected to come down within the next few weeks, according to its owner.
The remnants of the dilapidated 105-year-old building on Market Street across from the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo will be demolished for safety and financial reasons, local businessman Donnie Hutcherson said.
“Between safety and the cost of trying to save the building, it’s not feasible to do it,” he said in a telephone interview on Monday about the vacant art-deco structure.
Hutcherson said the city also has issued an order to demolish the former four-story hotel, where a fire several years ago sheared off much of the building and left mostly just the front intact.
“While I am very disappointed in this course of action, I feel it is the right decision for all stakeholders,” he said.