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Commission moves on Say Building appeal after hours of advocacy for preservation
Summary
After extensive public testimony, commissioners voted on whether to modify the West Downtown Historic District boundary tied to the Say Building. The item drew large public turnout, dozens of speakers and sharply divided views over preservation, reuse and a church’s demolition proposal.
After more than two hours of public testimony on April 1, the Athens-Clarke County Commission considered an appeal tied to the West Downtown Historic District and the future of the Say Building, a nearly century-old commercial structure near Hancock Avenue and downtown landmarks.
Scores of residents, preservation advocates and local architects urged the commission to maintain the building’s protection inside the West Downtown Historic District. Speakers described the building as historically and architecturally significant, highlighted rehabilitation proposals and warned that allowing demolition for a surface parking lot would set a damaging precedent for downtown preservation.
“Carving out the Say to destroy it undermines the future of this historic district and every historic district in Athens,” said John Jefferson, a downtown property owner. Scott Nesbitt, who teaches preservation planning at the University of Georgia, told commissioners that the county’s comprehensive plan and long-standing planning policy favor infill and structures that preserve walkable downtown character rather than surface parking.
First United Methodist Church, which owns the Say Building, has argued it needs parking and has pursued a demolition permit. Commissioners and staff described a lengthy administrative and legal history: a demolition application triggered a public pause and a subsequent historic-district study; the West Downtown Historic District was adopted after a process that included public hearings and appeals. Appointed citizen boards — which include the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission — reviewed the matter and, according to multiple speakers, either rejected the proposed boundary change or asked for more study.
At the commission’s business meeting, Commissioner Wright moved to accept what staff labeled options 1A and 1B regarding the appeal and the district boundary. A substitute motion to hold the item for a cycle was defeated in a roll-call vote. Recorded roll-call votes on the Wright motion were read by the clerk; the chair recorded the vote as seven commissioners in favor and three opposed. The commission’s action follows a process of board review and a 90‑day demolition review that had been applied to the property when the demolition permit was requested.
Why it matters: Preservation decisions shape downtown development patterns and affect economic redevelopment, tourism and property-tax base. Supporters argued the Say Building could be adaptively reused and produce downtown economic activity; opponents — led by the building’s owner — argued demolition would enable needed parking for the church and its campus.
What’s next: Commissioners said they expect additional review of legal and development options. Preservation advocates urged the commission to continue seeking buyers and reuse proposals and to work with the church on alternatives to a parking lot.
