by Zak Owens

University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has an affinity for buildings with plaques. “I don’t know too much about landmarks,” the coach told an audience of several hundred Monday night. “But anytime you put up a plaque it means something special. You don’t put a plaque up in Yankee Stadium for something insignificant.”

Pitino’s remarks, in an address to the Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission, must have done some good for his cause, which was to designate the old Azalea restaurant building as a landmark, preventing its owners from tearing it down. Pitino was the first to speak at a contentious community meeting at Second Presbyterian Church.

The commission voted unanimously to designate the property a landmark, recognizing the historical importance and community attachment to the building, which was built in 1869. The designation prevents alterations from being made to the building’s exterior without approval from the committee. There are more than 60 sites with the diesgnation in the city.

Propety owners, decendants of the Bauer family, want to raze the building to make way for a Rite-Aid drug store. The ruling means that the Landmark commission must now approve any physical changes to the site. A house which stood on the property for 60 years was demolished by crews Monday.

Azalea closed in 2007 after a decent run as a popular restaurant and nightspot. Before that, the building housed La Paloma. Food has been served as the spot since the 1800s.

In addition to Pitino, attorneys representing both sides and dozens of concerned citizens spoke at the meeting, which was covered by local TV crews. Attorney Michael Tigue argued for residents who wanted the designation. “This property has a very rich architectural history of historic importance,” Tigue said. “This is about preserving a place that is a special place to people in this room.”

Bill Bardenwerper represented the Bauer family. “In response to my favorite coach (Pitino), I would say they are knocking down Yankee Stadium,” Bardenwerper said, comparing the fate of the property to the razing of old Yankee Stadium, which will be replaced after this season. “That’s what we’re trying to do here. We want to keep a respect for the old while respecting the future.”

Mockingbird Gardens resident Marcia Murphy, 67, was among the residents who attened the meeting. “I came out of my concern and love for the property,” she said. “It couldn’t have worked out any better.”

More coverage in the C-J, Fox41