Cape Girardeau city officials say no more extensions will be granted for a Fountain Street log cabin and demolition will take place in the next few weeks.

On July 7, city leaders set a deadline of Aug. 8 for supporters to raise money and submit plans for restoring the home at 818 N. Fountain St. Among the list of action items the city requested was a detailed schedule for complete restoration, including fundraising; a completed application to place the property on the National Register of Historic Places; and the incorporation of a not-for-profit organization to save the cabin.

Molly Hood, director of Development Services, said the city has had issues with the rundown property for many years. It was condemned in 2011.

The property was purchased several years ago by sisters Mary Cotner and Marilyn Landewee, who had hoped to renovate it, but found repairs too costly. The pre-Civil-War-era cabin was hidden until 2013, when exterior siding was removed, revealing the logs underneath. Research by those interested in saving the historic cabin showed Franz Schmidt, a local blacksmith, built the cabin as a private home sometime shortly before the war.

Annie Criddle, executive director of the Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation, submitted a response to the city Aug. 8, which officials evaluated before a decision was announced Wednesday.

At the time of the submission, those fighting to preserve the log cabin were already celebrating a few small wins. The building was placed on the list of Most Endangered Places in Missouri and an online fundraising campaign raised more than $5,000 for repairs.

But on Wednesday, the city sent a letter to Criddle announcing its intention to continue with the demolition because of unmet requirements.

Copies of referenced documents, such as the not-for-profit status approval, were not included, the letter stated. It also expressed concerns about funding for the initial stabilization of the structure not being deposited into an escrow account and the project's work schedule.

"For example, the roof repairs, which should be a top priority to keep water from entering the structure, are not scheduled until spring of 2015," it said. "Finally, the lack of information regarding the structure's future and plans for becoming a true community asset (public/private access, maintenance, liability, etc.) leave the City with unmitigated doubt the proposed restoration would be successful."

But the online fundraising page set up by local preservationists outlined hopes for the building to become a learning tool.

"The pre-Civil War log cabin of Franz Schmidt is needing your help in gaining immediate funds to complete the initial stabilization of the roof and foundation," says a brief description on the fundraising page. "This is the first step to securing the historic structure as a learning laboratory (for historic construction methods) and as a study center for the community at large."

The letter from the city reiterated its stance on refusing additional extensions to restore the property and said property owners would be notified when the Cape Girardeau City Council awarded a contract to a demolition contractor. It also recognized the work of those recently involved with the property and expressed regret that "the Kellerman Foundation only recently asked to get involved with saving this structure."

Criddle had not answered a request for comment by Thursday evening.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

818 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.