Historic District Commission approves first reading to demolish deteriorated downtown building

The Historic District Commission in Skagway approved first reading of demolition application number 2024064 for a deteriorated wood building in the downtown historic district during its March 24 meeting in the assembly chambers. The motion, made by Commissioner Heights and seconded by Commissioner Pomeroy, passed by a 3-0 vote with Commissioner Rosemary Liebert recused.

The application affects Lot 3, Block 27 and was filed by Karl Klupar and Rosemary Liebert. The commission said the structure is missing exterior wood, exposing interior framing, is off-level, lacks a foundation and has large areas covered with T1-11 siding (a material the commission identified as prohibited in the district). Applicant Karl Klupar described the building as "a decrepit piece of wood that's still standing" and said moving or restoring it would be costly and risky because contractors said they could not guarantee it would remain standing after a move.

Commissioners said they wanted documented evidence that the National Park Service (NPS) and the museum had been offered the building and had declined. Applicant Rosemary Liebert said she had emailed the superintendent and received no written response: "I did send an email, and there was no response." The permitting official, Stacy Fairbanks, confirmed she had forwarded messages and located an earlier staff note dated 10/29/2024 indicating the superintendent had been contacted but that the commission did not have a written declination on file.

Commissioner Steve (last name not specified in the record) — who spoke at length about the building's age and the Park Service's past stewardship — said he had heard from the regional historic preservation officer in Anchorage that the Park Service lacked funds to take on more rehabilitations. Steve said, "We don't have the money to restore the ones we've got. We can't take another one on," and added that the Park Service response had been conveyed informally rather than in writing.

The commission said it would not proceed to final action without written confirmation from the Park Service. Commissioner Heights volunteered to draft and send a letter from the Historic District Commission to the National Park Service regional office to document whether the Park Service will accept the building. Heights told the applicants, "I will go ahead and write the letter myself to the region... to take this particular burden off" the applicants.

Formal action recorded in the meeting minutes shows the commission found the demolition application "in compliance with established historic district guidelines for first reading" (motion by Commissioner Heights; second by Commissioner Pomeroy). Roll call recorded three affirmative votes and the motion passed; Liebert abstained from participation because of the recusal.

If the commission proceeds, staff and applicants were asked to obtain a written declination from the Park Service (or a written acceptance) to include in the file before final action. Commissioners noted the case will return at a future meeting; the applicants were told the next regular Historic District Commission meeting is scheduled for April 28, when follow-up documentation could be presented.

The commission record includes historical research materials submitted by applicants and staff indicating the building was constructed within the period of significance for the district, but commissioners agreed the structure currently lacks sufficient original fabric to be feasibly preserved in place without significant intervention.

Supporting quotes in the record are limited to the speakers listed in the transcript; no additional parties were attributed with statements about the commission's decision.