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HRC continues demolition request for 1874 carriage house at First United Methodist Church
Summary
The commission continued a request to demolish a contributing 1874 garage/carriage house at the First United Methodist Church property at 212 North Division Street to Nov. 5, directing the church to provide alternatives or a replacement plan and to coordinate with building and preservation staff.
The Historic Resources Commission continued, without approval, the First United Methodist Church’s request to demolish a contributing outbuilding described in the record as a small shiplap garage or carriage house at 212 North Division Street.
Heather Ferris, community development staff, told the commission the structure dates to 1874 and the West Side Historic District nomination lists it as a contributing building. Ferris said the church submitted an engineer’s opinion concluding the structure is in poor condition and recommended demolition because of a risk of collapse and the building’s immediate proximity to a preschool playground on the site.
Bill French, chair of the Methodist Church board of trustees, said the building currently serves primarily for storage — for example, for props used in the congregation’s annual living nativity — and that the congregation might replace the structure with a smaller storage building if demolition were permitted. French told the commission the structure lacks a foundation and that some contractors refused to reroof it because of safety concerns.
Commissioners and members of the public pressed the church on several preservation options. Rob Lauder, who produced an engineer’s report included in the packet, said the building’s overall condition raised safety concerns. Several commissioners suggested alternatives short of full demolition: shoring and cross-bracing to stabilize the structure temporarily, dismantling and rebuilding the structure on a new slab using salvaged front façade materials, or proposing a new small storage building that replicates the contributing front elevation. Commissioners said the carriage-house front elevation and its distinctive doors were historically significant and asked the church to explore options that preserve the front facade or reuse elements.
The commission asked the applicant to return with a clear plan or alternatives that show what would replace the structure if it were removed. The applicant and staff were directed to coordinate with the building department and fire officials to confirm permitting and code requirements, and Ferris suggested the church explore rehabilitation options documented in past preservation reports. The commission set a date-certain continuance to the Nov. 5, 2025 HRC meeting to allow the church time to develop alternatives and cost estimates.
Action: Motion to continue the demolition request to the Nov. 5, 2025 meeting; motion carried unanimously.
The commission did not authorize demolition at this meeting and asked the church to provide drawings or replacement concepts showing how the front elevation would be retained or replicated if removal proceeds.
