Contractor reports completion of exterior restoration at Old San Anastasia; commission discusses future interior uses

Innovative Masonry Restoration presented an update Tuesday on the exterior rehabilitation of the Old San Anastasia building, showing completed masonry, mortar matches, stucco repairs and roof replacements and describing the project as substantially complete.

Jim (last name not specified in the record), owner of Innovative Masonry Restoration, and architect Bob Mack (McDonald & Mack), who previously prepared preservation specifications, described field work that included paint removal, matching historic mortar composition, salvaging and reusing brick where possible, custom concrete matching and application of a mineral silicate coating intended to bond with concrete and reduce future peeling. Mack said the goal was to make repairs “blend in with the entire building” rather than make it look brand new.

Commissioners and staff praised the visible restoration. Several commissioners said they had received positive social-media feedback and newspaper coverage and described the building as a potential cornerstone for further neighborhood activation. Commissioner Broderick raised a roof concern: he asked staff to inspect the southwest quadrant of the tile roof along East Orange Avenue for missing or broken tiles that might expose underlying materials to UV damage. Staff agreed to inspect the roof and follow up.

Future use and funding: Commissioners discussed next steps for the interior and possible reuse scenarios. Architect Mack noted that federal or state historic rehabilitation tax credits could be a potential funding source for interior work; he said his earlier report identified potential uses and incentive programs. Staff said a follow-up agenda item with funding options and a possible architect recommendation would be presented to the board in the coming months.

Why it matters: The Old San Anastasia building is centrally visible and historically significant; commissioners said exterior improvements strengthen downtown revitalization efforts and called for staff to consider reuse strategies that would leverage the newly restored facade.

Outcome: The presentation was accepted and commissioners instructed staff to return with proposals for interior use, roofing inspection results and funding options, including investigation of historic rehabilitation tax credits.