Demolition of Old Masonic Building OKd : Fillmore: A judge’s ruling frustrates local preservationists fighting to save the quake-damaged structure.

A Ventura County Superior Court judge on Thursday cleared the way for the demolition of the historic Masonic Building in Fillmore over the objections of a local preservationist group.

The group, which calls itself the Friends of Fillmore, had won a temporary restraining order Wednesday blocking the demolition of the building until Thursday’s hearing. The group argued that the building could not be demolished until city officials drafted a report detailing the historical significance of the structure to the community.

But Superior Court Judge Richard Aldrich said the exception to that law was when a building posed a threat to public safety.

“The law does not cover this because the building is in danger of collapsing and may be demolished even though it’s of historical importance,” Aldrich said.

Citing reports by two of Fillmore’s building inspectors warning that the building could fall at any time, Aldrich allowed the city to go forward with the demolition, which is now scheduled for Monday.

“A hearing like this shows the true extent of this disaster,” Aldrich said before issuing his ruling. “The scale of the suffering is brought home by both the people whose life savings could be lost and those who want to preserve this historic landmark.”

Jim Hicks, an attorney representing the Friends of Fillmore, said the decision was a mistake.

“This building has stood for 75 years and could stand for another 75 if the city took the initiative to look at their options,” Hicks said after the decision. “It’s a shame. Fillmore is the last frontier town of Southern California left and that character should be protected.”

Carol Swift, a Fillmore resident who helped organize the Friends of Fillmore, was equally dismayed. She felt that the threat was being exaggerated, noting that the city recently reopened an intersection in the shadow of the listing building.

“Really this isn’t about what state law says, but about the people of Fillmore,” Swift said. “This is the keystone of the community, and there’s nothing to replace it.”

Both the city and owners of the building had been frustrated by delays in the building’s demolition. Since it was included on a list of 14 other buildings scheduled for demolition 10 days ago, the building has been reviewed by state and federal inspectors.

While inspectors said the building was repairable, they also said it probably would be more costly to repair than to tear down. The owners and city officials say they don’t have the money to rebuild.

“We feel like we’ve gone through all the hoops,” said City Manager Roy Payne before the hearing. “And still we’re being told that we should go through more, while no one has offered the money that is needed to make these repairs.”

Hicks and Swift said Thursday they were not sure whether they would appeal Aldrich’s decision. The city has already signed the demolition order and selected a contractor to do the work.

Hicks and Swift worried that the city and owners of the building would try to demolish the structure before an appeal could be lodged.

The Fillmore Masonic Assn., which owns the building, said it was satisfied with the decision.

“It’s not something we want to do, it’s something we have to do,” said Louis Gabrielsen, a representative for the association. “We’re talking $2.5 million that we don’t have to restore that building. If they want to save it they should pay for it.”