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Commission approves exterior rehabilitation of 101 West State Street with shop drawings required for proposed folding storefront windows
Summary
The commission approved phase 1 and related exterior rehabilitation at 101 West State Street (the Rate Block/Old Corner) with a stipulation that detailed shop drawings for the proposed folding storefront windows (Conair system) be submitted for staff and commission review; prior masonry work required by a 2023 approval has been completed.
The Geneva Historic Preservation Commission approved proposed exterior rehabilitation work at 101 West State Street — the historic Rate Block (often called the Old Corner) — including storefront changes, relocation of the accessibility ramp, a new rear basement entrance and replacement of several ground‑floor windows. The approval carried a stipulation that shop drawings for a proposed folding/operable storefront system (identified as Conair in the hearing) be submitted for later commission or staff review.
Applicant Dennis Quintoff explained the current phase responds to earlier approvals and that the city provided $140,000 toward work that aligns with the previously approved scope. Quintoff said masonry rehabilitation identified in earlier approvals has been completed, and the current submission covers revised storefront and ramp location, a new basement entrance and replacement of many downstairs windows (one window remains unchanged because of an existing standpipe). Quintoff estimated the downstairs work at “a little over a million dollars” and upstairs work at “a little over half a million”; he said the upstairs completion is scheduled after tenant vacancies next year.
Architect Nick Mann (Manheim Architecture) confirmed that the design restores the front stair, reuses existing historic columns where appropriate, and includes steel details and lintel repairs requested by the commission during earlier reviews. Commissioners asked whether the proposed operable/folding storefronts would thicken the profile; Mann said shop drawings will be submitted to confirm dimensions and details. Staff confirmed structural concerns previously raised — particularly at the southeast corner — were addressed and that the city’s development incentive agreement remains consistent with the current scope.
The commission moved to approve the proposal as presented and included the earlier 2023 stipulations as part of the record; the motion included a requirement that the detailed folding‑window shop drawings be presented at a future meeting. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting in favor.
