WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Crown Uptown Theater is not being demolished yet. Wichita City Council pushed back the demolition permit request filed by the owner, trying to buy time.

After a lengthy, tense debate, the council decided the Crown Uptown owner cannot get a demolition permit until at least August. The 180-day permit delay does not mean the owner, Mike Brown, can’t knock it down himself before then.

The Crown Uptown is still not on the historical registry.

“Given it’s not a historical building, Mr. Brown could take a wrecking ball to it tomorrow for $150,” said Wichita City Council member Dalton Glasscock.

“That would be the only penalty I, as MABCD , would have,” said Chris Labrum, the director of the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) .

That $150 is all it would cost Brown to demo the building, including a fine.

The MABCD could then levy a stop order to that demo if he is seen doing it.

“In my heart, I don’t want that building to go away, but as a fiduciary responsibility to myself, my partners, and my family, as that building sits, the way it is restricted in use is not feasible,” he said.

Sharing a wall with Brown, business owner Aimee McCaffree says owners have rights, but this building has a unique history that matters to Wichita.

“It is privately owned, while I understand that, and an owner of a privately owned building as well, it is different than most privately owned buildings because of its historical relevance,” she said.

Down the street, Matt Jackson believes Brown should be able to do what he needs to run a profitable business.

“Anytime I see another business that is being restricted in the way they want to do things, the way they need to do things to maintain their business, that catches my ear,” said Jackson.

Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson thinks the Crown Uptown might be better off with new ownership.

“There are probably other folks that could make that business model work, he just can’t, and I hope it ends up in the hands of someone that can make it work,” said Johnson.

The demo permit extension expires on Aug. 4.

Johnson recommended city staff get the ball rolling on placing the Crown Uptown on the Wichita Historical Registry. He believes it is the best way to protect the building as they move through the next few months of discussion.