In a recent city council meeting, concerns were raised regarding the handling of historic properties that were foreclosed due to code enforcement liens. The properties, owned by a non-profit organization, were initially granted a mothball Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to allow time for repairs. However, after a month, city staff reversed their recommendation and denied the request, citing the foreclosure status as a reason.

The city took possession of the properties in December 2023 but failed to implement any protective measures for the historic structures. Subsequently, the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) expressed intentions to demolish the buildings. A local resident, who has been actively advocating for the preservation of these structures, reported difficulties in obtaining information about the demolition authorization. Despite multiple attempts to engage with city officials, including Council Member Paluso, the resident received minimal responses.

The resident highlighted discrepancies in the documentation submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), noting that the reports from the Historic Planning department and DIA were nearly identical, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the review process. Furthermore, the resident pointed out inconsistencies in the permitting fees associated with the demolition, suggesting that the information in the permitting system may be inaccurate.

Despite the resident's efforts to seek clarity and advocate for the preservation of the historic homes, the response from city officials has been limited, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the decision to demolish the properties. The situation underscores ongoing tensions between development interests and historic preservation efforts within the city.