St. Charles County Circuit Judge Norman Steimel III ruled on June 1 that a Lindenwood alumnus had no legal authority to stop the demolition of the historic water tower located on the St. Charles campus, which is now close to completion.

The water tower is now down to almost three-quarters of its original size as of June 11. The top has been removed, as well as the bricks that covered a steel structure that is currently being torn down.

During the last hearing, Steimel denied alumnus Roman Buddemeyer the opportunity to file a second temporary restraining order against the demolition of the historic landmark.

When Lindenwood announced their plans to demolish the water tower on May 13 after an engineer deemed it unsafe, Buddemeyer filed an initial temporary restraining order, holding the demolition project for almost two weeks.

In order to continue fighting for the water tower, Buddemeyer created a GoFundMe to hire an attorney who he said is “active in the preservation community.” Buddemeyer was able to receive $5,815 in pledges from 122 donors.

“Thank you again to everyone for your support and for coming together as a community to protect Historic St. Charles it means the world [sic],” Buddemeyer wrote on his GoFundMe page.

Lindenwood officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In the statement released by the University on May 13, Lindenwood is planning to keep 100 bricks, and members of the community can obtain them for purchase. The school will also construct a monument where the water tower is located, as well as hold a public dedication and place a plaque to commemorate its importance.

The red brick water tower stood at the Lindenwood St. Charles campus for more than 130 years.