ST. PETERSBURG - A dispute over the historic landmark designation of the Detroit Hotel, built in 1888 by St. Petersburg co-founders Peter Demens and John C. Williams, appears to be over - for now.

The suit filed by the Hotel Detroit Condominium Association contended that the historic designation "severely" restricted the ability of owners "to alter or demolish the existing structure or to build a new structure, effectively 'freezing' use of the property to the existing structure."

Though attorneys for the condo association dropped the case a week before the scheduled trial in November, according to assistant city attorney Pam Cichon, the cease-fire may be temporary.

Tony Amico of St. Pete Jannus LLC, which owns four of the 24 condos and the five commercial units at the 215 Central Ave. property, said the fight may go on. The group also owns the concert venue Jannus Live, the Tamiami Bar at 242 First Ave. N and the old Bishop Hotel at 256 First Ave. N.

"It's kind of on hold," Amico said, adding that his lawyer "just said we're going to pursue it later."