The Historic Resources Commission on July 17 approved a certificate of approval and a finding under state law review to allow demolition of an accessory structure at 1124 Rhode Island Street, concluding the building no longer contributes to the North Rhode Island Street Historic Residential District.

Lynn Braddock Zollner, historic resources administrator, presented photographs showing significant roof sag, biological growth, rot and interior deterioration. "This structure's roof system has been compromised," Zollner said, and staff concluded the building had lost sufficient integrity to be considered contributing to the district. She characterized the building as a health-and-safety concern for the neighborhood.

Eric Jay of Struct Restruct, representing the current owners, said the property changed hands within the last six to eight months and that deferred maintenance and the absence of a solid foundation have worsened the condition since the last review. "There's no anchor bolts tied to anything ... it's marginal. There's a lot of rot around the perimeter," Jay said, describing a dirt floor and a plate on the ground rather than a continuous foundation.

Action: The commission voted to approve the staff recommendation and issue a certificate of approval for demolition, finding the project does not damage historic property because the structure's condition renders it non-contributing and it is a health-and-safety concern. The motion passed in roll-call votes recorded on the meeting record (unanimous among participating members for this item).

The commission did not require replacement plans as part of the demolition approval; staff noted that a replacement structure or future project would return to the commission under the normal review process.

Provenance: Staff presentation and owner's representative comments appear in the public hearing record; the commission's motions and roll-call votes are recorded in the meeting transcript.