Historic Preservation Commission approves new multi-window overhead door at 123 North Second Street

Historic Preservation Commission members voted 5-0 on March 3 to approve a request for a certificate of appropriateness for a new multi-window overhead door at 123 North Second Street.

The panel’s decision follows a staff report that described the building as a modern, noncontributing resource and said the new door resembles other downtown garage-style doors with multiple windows. The commission noted the installed door is silver; several commissioners said a black finish would better match the streetscape but agreed the replacement is an improvement over the previous metal door.

Dan (staff member) told the commission the building already had a modern metal door and the applicants sought to replace it with the multi-window style commonly seen elsewhere downtown. The staff report said the building is not a contributing resource to the historic district and that the proposed door fits existing modern frames in the area.

Studio Merge, the general contractor on the project, addressed the commission and apologized for not filing the application before installing the door, saying, “We just did not realize,” and that they filed an application as soon as a staff member raised the issue.

Commissioners discussed materials and color. The chair said the change is acceptable and noted a preference that the door be black where practical, while recognizing the material already in place. No one advocated removing the installed door; the commission approved the application by motion.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Phil Nichols made the motion to approve; Commissioner Jason Wells seconded. Jason Wells, Valerie Duncan, Darryl Covington, Phil Nichols and Maneka Gibbs voted yes; the motion passed 5-0.

The commission closed the item with a brief reminder from staff that future work in the district should be reviewed before installation. The applicant and staff thanked the commission before the meeting moved to the next item.