Design review approves demolition permits at 1113 and 1119 Parrot Street after extended public comment; preservation group offers structural assessment

The Evansville City Design Review Committee on Feb. 20 approved separate demolition entries for 1113 Parrot Street (the ballroom/restaurant structure) and 1119 Parrot Street (the Thayer House), after substantial public comment and discussion about alternatives.

Property owner Scott Schimick, who said he owns 1113 through 1119 Parrot Street and operates a nearby restaurant, told the committee that a fire on Dec. 25 destroyed the restaurant formerly known as Sauce and left one building with extensive smoke and water damage. He said the basement areas were “basically flooded up to about 6 feet,” that the building had significant mold and structural problems and that he had permits in to “start demolition on April 14.” Schimick said the damaged condition posed a public-health concern and a safety risk and that he had invested heavily in the property over decades.

Several neighbors, preservation advocates and representatives of Indiana Landmarks urged the committee to delay demolition of the less-damaged 1119 building and to allow a structural assessment. Stephanie Richard, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Southwest Field Office, offered that the nonprofit would underwrite a structural assessment of the building, subject to the owner’s permission. Richard said, “I don't want to get into the details. Like Philip said, it's it's hard to digest a situation where we simply lose these 2 buildings without any sort of plan.”

Dennis, identified as a former historic preservation officer for Evansville, and several other residents related restoration experiences and urged a phased approach. Dennis said, “please give it a second chance. It can be done.” Philip R. Hooper and other neighbors recommended demolishing the fire-damaged ballroom first and pausing on 1119 until a bankable redevelopment plan or preservation strategy was in place.

Schimick said the 1119 structure had smoke and water infiltration, that people had lived there until recent weeks and that the combined condition of the connected buildings raised structural concerns across the parcel. He also emphasized the property’s commercial potential, describing the parcel as a developable corner and saying the site could support density that might energize Haney's Corner.

Committee discussion noted the Evansville Arts Redevelopment Area guidelines and the committee’s own principles to encourage reuse of structures when possible. At meeting close the committee voted separately: it approved the demolition application for 1113 Parrot Street by voice vote and then approved demolition at 1119 Parrot Street in a roll-call vote. The chair called for a roll call on 1119, recording one “nay” from a member named Timothy and multiple ayes; the committee chair said afterward the majority voted to approve and advised the owner to see staff for paperwork.

Indiana Landmarks confirmed it has not offered to purchase the property but said it is willing to fund a structural assessment to inform options. Public commenters and neighbors requested that any demolition be phased so the damaged ballroom could be removed quickly for safety while preservation options for the Thayer House (1119) were explored.

Votes at a glance: 1113 Parrot Street (ballroom) — approved (voice vote). 1119 Parrot Street (Thayer House) — approved (roll-call: yes 5, no 1, per roll-call as read in meeting).