Commission approves demolition after structural report finds imminent risk at 12–14 E. Park Place

The Downtown Design Commission on May 15 approved an application to demolish two long-neglected buildings at 12 and 14 East Park Place after the property owner provided a structural report concluding the structures are in poor condition and present an imminent public-safety risk.

Planning staff told commissioners the owner acquired the properties in their current condition and that the buildings have been open to the elements and subject to trespass. The structural engineer’s report, submitted by the applicant and attached to the packet, documented interior and framing deterioration. "On the interior, we found that ceilings are exposed and some walls are exposed in areas," applicant representative Cody Pastolica said; he summarized the structural engineer’s assessment that salvaging the primary structure would require near-complete rebuilding.

Staff presented two possible recommendations: deny the demolition if commissioners determined the buildings are historic resources without imminent risk, or approve demolition if the structures posed imminent risk or if anticipated redevelopment outweighed retention. Commissioners concluded the structural evidence supported the imminent-threat finding and moved to approve demolition; the motion passed.

The applicant indicated cleanup and site preparation were already underway, and the commission approved the demolition on the basis that the site presents public-safety concerns and that the property has potential for future mixed-use redevelopment with structured parking, the latter identified in preliminary concepts presented by the applicant’s team.