The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing the demolition of the house at 603 Gary Street in the Somerville Historic District after reviewing a structural assessment and a post‑demolition design concept.

The owner argued the house — originally built about 1916 — is in poor condition and that rehabilitation is not economically practical. After staff received a structural assessment by Cranston Engineering and a post‑demolition schematic that had been added to the application packet, staff changed its recommendation from postponement to approval with conditions. The commission voted to approve the demolition and required the replacement to follow the concept plans submitted with the application.

Why it matters: the lot is on the far northeast edge of the Somerville district. Historic Augusta noted the property contributes to the district’s architecture, but staff and the applicant provided inspection and structural documentation just days before the meeting. That material shifted the staff recommendation to approval.

Applicant’s statement and documentation

Applicant Bridal Boardman, who said he has more than 28 years’ experience in local preservation projects and renovation, presented inspection reports, a structural assessment and an appraiser’s letter and said restoration was not economically feasible. “I don't come before the group lightly in asking for a demolition permit but I've had a structural engineer look at this ... it's not economically practical to try to restore it,” Boardman said.

Staff and Historic Augusta responses

Staff noted that the post‑demolition schematic was provided late in the packet (the materials arrived March 25) and that Historic Augusta’s initial review had lacked photos and the post‑demolition plan. Once the structural report and the schematic were in hand, staff recommended approval with the condition that the replacement comply as closely as possible with the submitted concept.

Commission action

A motion to approve the demolition application with staff conditions passed after a second; the chair called for a show‑of‑hands and the motion carried. Staff will work with the applicant to ensure the replacement building follows the concept elevations provided.

What comes next

Staff will document the required conditions and the concept elevations that the replacement should match, and will monitor the demolition permitting and redevelopment to ensure compliance with the concept plan.