Historic Commercial Wharf building’s demolition request put on hold after split HDC session

A proposal by the property owner to demolish a deteriorated brick structure at Commercial Wharf drew extended testimony from structural engineers, preservation specialists and municipal staff at the Nantucket Historic District Commission’s June 10 meeting. Commissioners asked for legal clarification and additional information before taking a final vote.

The meeting featured two independent assessments. A structural report retained by the property owner concluded the building’s brick fabric and interior supports had deteriorated to a degree that full rehabilitation would require replacing large sections of the walls and roofs. John Watney of Structures North, a structural professional on the Preservation Massachusetts recommended list, summarized his firm’s review and told commissioners extensive full-thickness wall replacement, new roof sheathing and replacement of interior finishes would be required. He concluded that so much original material would be replaced that the result would be largely a new building rather than a conservation…