Owner says brick infill was for security; commission continues 700 S. Walker case to March 19

The Downtown Design Commission continued review of a retroactive storefront infill at 700 South Walker Avenue after staff and commissioners expressed preservation concerns and proposed alternatives.

Daryl Callaway, staff, told the commission the building — constructed in 1935 and listed as individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in a city survey — had been retrofitted with nonmatching brick over a storefront opening. Owner Lorena Martinez told the commission she installed the brick after someone tried to break in. "So that's what we did," Martinez said, noting the building remains occupied and that the original fabric remains beneath the new brick.

Staff and commissioners said the exterior masonry creates a cavity behind the brick that can trap moisture and accelerate deterioration of historic materials. One staff member told the owner, "Moisture can get into that cavity and could potentially cause degradation of the materials behind it," and recommended removing the exterior brick and securing the opening from the interior to preserve the original storefront rhythm. Staff also noted that allowing the exterior brick to stand could create a precedent for similar requests in the future.

To allow staff and the applicant to explore interior-security alternatives and preservation-minded solutions, a commissioner moved to continue the application to the March 19 DDC meeting; another commissioner seconded and the motion passed.