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DRC supports ramp and in‑kind roof repairs for Dan German building, asks for salvage effort
Summary
Design team proposed a side ADA ramp and replacement of most of the roof at formerly Dan German Hospital; staff and commissioners endorsed in‑kind replacement and recommended salvaging decorative metal ridge pieces and matching porch details where possible.
Ben McCreery presented proposed work for 135 Fourth Avenue South (the Dan German building), saying the county owns the property and plans to use it for public programming. He described an 18‑inch grade difference from the sidewalk to the porch and proposed a U‑shaped, mostly hidden ramp tucked behind an existing wing wall, with simple metal handrails and a concrete platform where needed.
McCreery also proposed replacing roughly 80 percent of the roof, matching existing metal shingles and ridge cresting where available, and repairing deteriorated wood trim in kind. He said some original trim profiles are no longer produced; where original profiles cannot be sourced, the applicant will install matching modern profiles or salvage what remains.
City staff member Emily summarized the building’s National Register description (c. 1891 stone gabled L dwelling converted to a clinic by Dr. Dan German) and recommended that ramps be reversible, minimally invasive and painted in colors compatible with the building. She called the proposed in‑kind roof and wood trim replacement and side ramp appropriate in principle, but asked for more detailed ramp drawings and confirmation that decorative ridge cresting can be salvaged or matched.
Commissioners largely supported the ramp location as minimally invasive and the in‑kind roofing approach. Several commissioners urged the project team to salvage original ridge cresting and roof elements where feasible and to confirm material choices (wood vs. cementitious trim) for trim and siding. One commissioner noted the building had been substantially altered in the 20th century and that salvaging original pieces where possible would preserve important character elements.
No formal action was taken; staff advised the applicant to supply detailed ramp plans, material specifications for trim and ridge elements, and evidence of salvage investigations to support a COA application.
