Littleton commission approves rooftop fly tower and entry changes for Town Hall Arts Center at 2450 West Main

The Littleton Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 17 approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior changes at 2450 West Main — the Town Hall Arts Center — including a rooftop fly tower and reconfigured entryways.

Sarah, a city preservation planner, told the commission staff findings concluded the proposal met the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation and recommended approval of "HPC Resolution 052-2025." Sarah summarized the work as a rooftop addition to accommodate a fly-tower system, replacement and reconfiguration of entryways, repair and restoration of historic features, and limited changes to the non-historic rear addition.

Paul Bryant, the project architect and applicant representative, said the design seeks to restore the original recessed arcade and to modernize backstage and circulation for the 232-seat theater. He described the fly-tower footprint as roughly 23 by 38 feet, set back about 26 feet from the front, and bringing the overall building height to about 42 feet — roughly 3 feet below the district maximum. Bryant also said the proposed additions and new glazing are designed to be removable so the primary historic façade would be preserved if the additions were removed in the future.

Members of the public and commissioners raised concerns about proposed exterior lighting for the fly tower. Pam Chadbourne, who lives nearby, said she did not "understand lighting up the fly towers" and questioned why the addition would be highlighted at night. The architect responded that the lighting would be subtle: "we're not talking about Las Vegas here, but just subtly lit to show that it's a fly tower," and that wash lighting was intended to provide depth behind a perforated Renaissance-arch screen.

Commissioners debated whether lighting should be required or limited by condition. Supporters said limited lighting would "activate" a visually industrial side of downtown and help signal the building’s theater use to the public; opponents said making the non-historic addition more visible at night could run counter to a strict historic-preservation interpretation. The commission did not adopt a lighting condition.

After questions and discussion, a motion to approve HPC Resolution 052-2025 was seconded and carried on a thumbs-up vote reported as "5 in favor." The clerk announced, "The motion carries." The commission did not list any amendments or conditions in the motion as recorded in the hearing.

The commission moved next to routine reports and then to a study session on the draft citywide survey plan. The COA decision is final as recorded at the Nov. 17 meeting; any procedural appeals or further administrative steps would follow the city’s posted review process.