The Latest Breaking News from Ward Miller

The federally-owned towers date from the early 20th century and could still be torn down, but the decision of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks could increase pressure to preserve them.

CHICAGO — When The Warehouse made the top seven list of most endangered buildings in Chicago facing possible demolition, preservationists sprung to action to save the West Loop industrial building where legendary DJ Frankie Knuckles elevated Chicago to a higher musical level with "house music."

After more than 100 years, the vibrancy of the windows and the mural were hidden by dirt, leading supporters of the church to embark on a campaign to restore the artistic treasures to their original glory.

At issue is an Old Town condominium known as the Glasner Studio, once a party house for industrialist Rudolph Glasner. From 1928 to 1932, it was a colony where artists would stay in exchange for working to rehab the building.

A permit has been issued to remove a beloved statue from St. Adalbert Catholic Church. Preservationists and former parishioners fear the building’s fate is sealed. “Once the statue comes out, the wrecking ball comes in,” said Ward Miller, president of Preservation Chicago.

Let’s hope so. It would be a better fate than the federal government’s plan to demolish the structures for a security plaza.

The members act after getting a petition from more than 22,000 people who voiced support for saving the early 20th century structures, setting up a potential show down with the federal government over security concerns for the nearby Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

The proposal calls for turning them into a shared archive center, but the properties’ owner, the federal government, wants the early 20th century high-rises wrecked.

A proposal to revive the buildings adjacent to the federal complex is being developed, with hope that it will satisfy concerns about safety.