Take A Swing At The Ark Event To Serve As Farewell For City Landmark

By rkaatmann@yourjournal.com">Rachel Kaatmann – Suburban Journals
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:30 PM CDT

Take a crack at a biblical structure that has been an iconic symbol, greeting travelers as they have entered St. Charles County, since the 1960s.  The public is invited to attend "Bringing Down the Ark," an event meant to say farewell to the former Noah's Ark restaurant.

Cullinan Properties recently acquired the $385 million Plaza at Noah's Ark development from Whittaker Homes. The development is slated for the 26.8-acre site of the former restaurant and hotel, near the southeast corner of South Fifth Street and Interstate 70.  Now Cullinan plans to continue demolition of the site with a special community event.

The developer plans to partner with ShowMe Aquatics and Fitness Center, an indoor water facility that specializes in warm-water therapy, for the event. ShowMe bought a portion of the Noah's Ark property in 2004 and plans to build a $1.25 million facility there.

For $10, attendees can purchase a chance to be the first to strike the ark using a piece of heavy machinery or can purchase planks of wood from the ark. Brian Buralli, marketing manager for Cullinan, said the winner will be supervised by the equipment operator and will get to take a "physical swing at it." Photo opportunities to pose with a sledgehammer next to the ark also will be available. All proceeds go to ShowMe.  "The theory behind the event is our attempt to partner with ShowMe in a public way and help raise funds for their fitness center," said Chuck Boysen, director of marketing for Cullinan.

Councilwoman Laurie Feldman, Ward 3, said she approached Cullinan in July about having an event.  "People in St. Charles need a chance to say goodbye because it's a landmark," she said. "(Cullinan) took the ball and ran with it, and I was pleased with that."  Participants will be able to feast on the famous Noah's Ark clam chowder and enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and beverages during the event.

Former owner David Flavin opened Noah's Ark restaurant in 1968 and later opened the hotel. The restaurant closed in 2000, and the hotel two years later. Since then, the site has remained vacant.

Boysen said Cullinan has already started to demolish residences behind the property. The next step is demolishing the ark and then the hotel. Most demolition is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.  Feldman said Cullinan plans to wait until after Halloween to demolish the hotel, so the St. Charles County Special Operations Task Force could put on its annual Haunted Hotel fundraiser. Boysen, however,  said he could not confirm this.  Boysen said Cullinan never planned to incorporate the ark into its development plans, but did say some of the fiberglass or stuffed animals formerly used in the restaurant and hotel might be incorporated.  "The structure (the ark) is beyond redemption and needs to be demolished, unfortunately," he said. "I know people have a lot of memories there, but we are not in a position to restore it."

D2’s Role

Development Dynamics serves as administrator for the Plaza at Noahs Ark Community Improvement District.