Historic Preservation Commission approves façade paint, signage and design review for 32/3032 Main Street

Edmond Cherneski, chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, said the commission approved a pair of actions for the property at 32/3032 Main Street during the body’s August 2024 meeting.

The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness to allow repainting and new signage on the building’s existing façade and separately approved the related design review, both by roll-call vote. Applicant representative Mick Delaghi told the commission there will be no structural changes: “There’s actually no physical changes to the building at all,” he said, describing scraping, repairs and repainting of cast-iron columns and the entablature and the reuse of existing window framing with repaired glass.

The commission’s consultant and members reviewed historic materials and an early photograph showing the structure originally as a three‑story building; the photo and consultant notes referenced work later attributed to architect Wilfred Mansur. Commissioners asked whether original stone or marble elements would be exposed; Delaghi said much of that material has been repaired, patched and will be painted rather than stripped to reveal original stone.

Delaghi described signage plans: one hanging sign about 5 square feet and a vinyl panel approximately 12 square feet across the middle of the storefront. Commission members confirmed the central panel will be applied vinyl (not backlit) so the middle columns remain visible under the sign. The applicant also described lighting goals—LED wash lighting to highlight the sign—but said specific fixtures were not available at the meeting and that he would submit detailed specifications later. The commission indicated those lighting specifications could be handled as a minor revision through the planning office, not necessarily requiring a full commission review.

During the discussion Delaghi noted one of the historic columns was shattered in a past incident; he said repairs were made by a contractor (cited in the record) and that some elements show long‑term deterioration, which informed the decision to repaint rather than attempt to expose original stone. The commission also confirmed that the proposed applied treatments are removable in the future.

Votes at a glance: • Certificate of Appropriateness for 32/3032 Main Street — Motion by Liam; second by Matthew Weitkin; outcome: approved (affirmative roll-call). • Design review for 3032 Main Street — Motion and second recorded; outcome: approved (affirmative roll-call). • Approval of June and July minutes — Motion and second recorded; outcome: approved (one member noted they would technically abstain from the June minutes because they were not present).

The commission chair closed the item by thanking the applicant. The applicant said he will submit final LED fixture specifications to the planning office and will return only if a minor revision requires further review.