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Residents warn ARB of planned demolition at 520 North Sixth Avenue in Old East Hill
Summary
A resident told the Pensacola Architectural Review Board that neighbors oppose a planned demolition of a contributing Second Empire house at 520 North Sixth Avenue and urged the board to treat preservation as the default in the Old East Hill Preservation District.
Susan Ford, a resident of the Old East Hill Preservation District, told the Pensacola Architectural Review Board on Feb. 20 that neighbors have learned the new owner intends to demolish 520 North Sixth Avenue and asked the board to do “everything in your power” to prevent that demolition while allowing thoughtful redevelopment of the site.
Ford said the house is a contributing Second Empire–style structure celebrated by residents and that the community bought into the district knowing preservation, not demolition, would be the priority. She told the board that the home was sold after the longtime owner’s death to a company named Adore Properties and that the company has “confirmed to us their intention to demolish the home and redevelop the site.” Ford said there also has been at least one incident in which “a man [was] caught in the home removing some architectural features,” and that water continues to enter through the roof following damage tied to Hurricane Sally.
The neighborhood representative said Christian Waggly had emailed the board with more detail and asked neighbors to organize and attend the ARB meeting when the demolition request is placed on the March agenda. Ford added that several neighbors told her there are vacant lots elsewhere for new construction and urged the board to favor preservation of existing historic fabric.
City staff reminded Ford that residents can contact their city council member and neighborhood associations and noted the Land Development Code revision process is under way; staff also pointed to a public LDC workshop the next Wednesday and an open house the following day as opportunities to comment. No formal demolition application or replacement plans were before the ARB at the Feb. 20 meeting; staff said that a demolition request for a contributing structure must be accompanied by replacement plans before the board may consider demolition per the city’s LDC procedures.
Ford’s remarks were recorded during the ARB’s open forum; no action was taken at the Feb. 20 meeting. The board and staff encouraged neighbors to appear at the LDC workshop and to present organized comment at the ARB when the matter appears on the March agenda.
