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Commission continues demolition request for two historic buildings at 12–14 E. Park Place pending structural report
Summary
The commission continued a demolition application for century-old buildings at 12 and 14 East Park Place to its June meeting and requested a structural engineer's report showing the structures are unsalvageable before a demolition approval.
The Downtown Design Review Commission voted to continue a demolition application for two buildings at 12 and 14 East Park Place to the commission's June meeting and asked the applicant to provide a structural-engineer's report demonstrating the buildings are unsafe or unsalvageable.
Planning staff described both structures as individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and more than 100 years old. Laura Griggs, planning staff, said the buildings remain on Sanborn maps as early as 1922 and that their architectural features—arched porches, stone details and decorative roof elements—contribute to their historic character.
Cody Pastolica, representing the applicant and identifying himself with a local design firm, said his client purchased the entire block recently and plans redevelopment for future commercial use. Pastolica showed conceptual options, including mixed-use buildings and structured parking, and told the commission the existing buildings have been vacant for some time and that the site is subject to recurring homelessness and vandalism problems.
Several commissioners urged the applicant to secure the structures until a definitive development package is ready. One commissioner said the optics of demolishing a historic structure without a replacement proposal are poor and asked whether the applicant could board up and secure the building instead of immediate demolition. The applicant said securing the buildings would be difficult because of existing structural failure and repeated break-ins.
Commissioners agreed to allow the applicant time to supply a structural assessment. The motion to continue requested that the applicant submit a structural report showing the structure is not salvageable and constitutes a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public; the continuation was set for the commission's June 20 meeting. The motion passed.
Staff noted any future redevelopment will require a certificate of approval and that the commission may consider demolition criteria and the commission's purpose and intent statements when it returns to the item.
Votes at a glance: DTCA-25-000025 (12 and 14 East Park Place) was continued to the June 20 meeting with a condition that the applicant provide a structural report justifying demolition.
