Galena historic board backs removal of north-end structures, conditions permits on roof-repair plan

The Galena Historic Review Board recommended that the city permit demolition of the structures on the north end of an industrial block on Commerce Street while preserving the central barrel‑roofed limestone section, but the board conditioned that recommendation on the owner returning with a written plan to repair the remaining roof before any demolition or parking‑lot permits are issued.

Lauren Ray, vice president and project management leader at Origin Design, spoke for the property owner at the public hearing and described the current application as preserving the full barrel‑roof portion of the building that "extends from Commerce Street to Water Street" while demolishing other structures on the parcel. "The previous application related to this property included preservation of [the] historic limestone structure only, and the current application proposes preservation of the entire structure," Ray said, adding that final plans for the property's use were not yet established.

During public comment, Paul Connor, a nearby business owner who said he uses part of the old building for storage, urged the board to allow demolition of the flanking sections so the site could be converted to parking. "The highest and best use for that space is as a parking facility for our north end for our visitors," Connor said, arguing that private development of parking could meet weekend demand without a city expense.

Board members probed the applicant about how the preserved center portion would be stabilized and made economically viable; several commissioners opposed converting the center roof to an open‑air structure, saying that would accelerate deterioration. Commissioners repeatedly stressed the need for an enforceable guarantee so the owner would not demolish the flanking buildings and then fail to restore the preserved roof.

At least one commissioner suggested options used in past cases, including escrow or a requirement that money be set aside as a condition of approval. City staff and a commissioner said a practical enforcement approach would be to withhold issuance of demolition and parking permits until the owner submits a written plan for roof repairs; one board member added that staff review ("Jonathan's approval") could be sufficient in lieu of returning to the board in certain circumstances.

The board's motion — described on the record as moved by Steve and seconded by Emily — recommended removal of the north‑end structures with the contingency that no permits for demolition or for the parking lot be issued until the owner provides plans showing how the preserved roof will be repaired. Cassie called the roll; members listed on the roll as present (Molineux, Eric, Lewis) answered "Yes," and the motion carried.

The board sent the recommendation to the City of Galena and discussed whether the repair plan must return to the board or could be approved administratively; the motion allows for staff approval if appropriate. The owner was not present at the hearing, and Ray said there was not a firm financing plan for roof repair at the time of the presentation.

The recommendation now goes to the city for final action; the board recorded that permits will be withheld until the roof‑repair plan is submitted and approved, and that the board expects the owner to show an economic use for the preserved center section as part of long‑term preservation.