Board OKs first-floor facade work at 507–509 West Main; picks 'billiard' green, excludes future doors and lighting

The Denison Historic Preservation Board approved a certificate of appropriateness on Oct. 7 for first-floor facade improvements at 507–509 West Main Street (the Rail Yard Building), a 1914 structure that previously participated in a historic tax credit project. The board approved replacement of deteriorated wood surrounds and windows below the transom, recommended retaining the existing bottom bulkhead, and selected a billiard/“British racing” green as the preferred paint color.

Staff said the work focuses on maintenance and moisture mitigation: replacing deteriorated wood surrounds (cedar or pine), repairing window seals, and maintaining the transoms and any historic features already restored through the prior tax-credit project. Staff recommended approval and noted that the application did not include any proposed changes to front doors or exterior lighting.

Board members emphasized that the approved work should not reverse or detract from the building’s earlier historic-tax-credit restorations. A board member moved to approve the application as presented, to permit the billiard green color selection, and to state that the approval does not include any future door or lighting changes; another member seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

The board asked that if the applicant later proposes new doors or exterior lighting, those elements be returned to the board for review. Staff said it would require separate submittals for entryway and lighting plans if the applicant chose to proceed.