Landmark Commission approves painted CMU in alley at 2400 Mechanic despite staff objection

Galveston’s Landmark Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness on Monday, May 5, allowing the owner of 2400 Mechanic to remove a failing brick veneer from the rear garage wall, finish the exposed concrete masonry unit (CMU) and paint it, despite staff recommending denial.

Staff had recommended denying the request because the work does not conform to the Design Standards for Historic Properties, which the staff report says favor repair and retention of brick, stone or stucco in the Strand Mechanic Historic District. Catherine (staff member) told commissioners that while the rear facade is in a less-visible location and allows some flexibility, the design standards still call for materials compatible with the district and that staff recommends the brick veneer be repaired and retained.

The applicant, identified in the meeting as Mr. Watson, said the wall in question was built during a 1995 renovation and that brick ties are failing and the brick was "literally falling off" when work began. Watson said the interior garage structure was previously demolished and rebuilt under an earlier approval and that steel supports and rebar had deteriorated following flooding during Hurricane Ike, which contributed to the current condition. He noted adjacent alley walls include painted masonry and CMU and asked the commission to allow the painted CMU as a cost-saving, durable alternative.

Staff reported that 51 notices were sent and none were returned. The staff report also notes that on Jan. 6, 2025, the commission approved earlier alterations under case 24LC036 that included demolition of the internal garage structure and new surface parking and roof terrace; the current request concerns only the rear garage facade material.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the application, citing the wall’s 1995 construction and the failing condition of the brick; another commissioner seconded. The motion passed; the commission did not adopt staff’s recommendation to deny. The meeting record does not include a roll-call tally for the vote.

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to reinstall the garage openings and leave the rear wall as painted CMU instead of replacing the brick veneer, subject only to the motion as stated at the meeting. No specific conditions beyond the approval motion were recorded on the public transcript.

The commission moved on to the next agenda item after the vote; the record shows no public commenters for this case and no additional written conditions noted on the transcript.

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