Malta Temple One Step Away From Historic Designation

Pittsburgh City Council has preliminarily approved a historic designation for the Malta Temple in the North Side. The Salvation Army owns the building and objects to the designation. The Salvation Army wants to demolish the building and replace it with one that the organization says would be better suited for its efforts in the community. The historic designation nomination was made by the Mexican War Streets Society. Councilman Ricky Burgess cast the only no vote. He says the building should be protected as a place of worship. The Salvation Army is a Christian organization. A final vote is expected Tuesday.