Commission recommends approval with conditions for State Armory parapet repairs at 818 Mission

The Historic Preservation Commission heard staff recommendations and public comment on a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior repairs at the State Armory & Arsenal, 818 Mission St., a city landmark.

Rebecca Salgado (planning staff) described work to repair and restore the brick and decorative plaster parapet on the north, west and south elevations. Where decorative plaster elements have deteriorated, the proposal calls for replicas fabricated in glass fiber‑reinforced concrete (GFRC) attached to new internal structural steel. Staff found that the new GFRC elements would match the color, texture, profile and size of the historic plaster and that the proposed work — conditioned as recommended — would conform to Article 10 and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Salgado summarized staff’s two conditions of approval: review of a full‑size mockup with final materials and review of a physical sample of the proposed joint tooling at the parapet, both to be reviewed by preservation staff before proceeding. Justin Lehi (TEF Design) and representatives from Rainbow Restoration attended to answer technical questions.

One member of the public spoke at length (raising unrelated concerns), and the Commission discussed ownership and funding; staff clarified the work will be privately funded by the property owner. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the project with the conditions set by staff; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously (6–0).