Landmark Commission approves changes to Medical Arts Building, requires genuine stucco in place of proposed EIFS

The Galveston Landmark Commission on Aug. 18 approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior alterations to the Medical Arts Building (302 Moody Avenue / 20 First Street), but required that proposed exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) be omitted and replaced with genuine stucco over masonry.

The commission's staff report said the application seeks approval for site work and exterior alterations including storefronts, windows and doors on the Medical Arts Building and the attached, smaller American Printing Building. The staff recommendation found the proposed alterations generally conform to the city's design standards, but flagged EIFS on the east facade of the American Printing Building as incompatible and recommended genuine stucco in its place.

The application includes work the staff noted does not require commission approval (for example, sidewalk repairs, brick and stone cleaning, repointing and reroofing) and also pointed to separate…