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Commission releases demolition delay for 614 N. Grant after discussion about preserving herringbone brick sidewalk
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Summary
The commission voted 5–3 to release a demolition delay for 614 N. Grant, allowing partial demolition to proceed; public commenters urged retaining the property's herringbone brick sidewalk and commissioners asked staff to explore variance or designation strategies to preserve sidewalks where feasible.
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission voted on Feb. 12 to release the demolition-delay period for the property at 614 North Grant, allowing a partial demolition project to proceed while neighbors urged care to protect a surviving herringbone brick sidewalk.
Noah, the preservation program manager, presented the case and noted that the house had been substantially altered and that staff recommended release of the delay. Multiple neighbors testified they value the stretch of brick sidewalk and asked whether the commission could require careful removal, storage and reinstallation. James Ford urged preservation of the sidewalk or careful salvage: "It would be nice for this brick sidewalk to be retained… or asking the petitioner to carefully remove it, pile it up somewhere safe, and then put the sidewalk back," he said.
Planning staff explained that the sidewalk is city-owned but typically maintained by adjacent property owners and that redevelopment projects often must bring sidewalks into current code, which can require replacement and street-tree strips; staff said engineering and planning requirements could make full preservation difficult without special permitting or variance.
Commission discussion considered options such as continuing the case to research protections, seeking a variance, or designating the sidewalk historic; commissioners noted the legal and practical complications if a redevelopment permit requires bringing the site into code compliance. Commissioner Jack Baker said neighborhoods have successfully restored sidewalks using city grants in the past.
After debate the commission voted to release DD2602 by roll call (yes votes from five commissioners, three opposed), effectively waiving the remainder of the delay waiting period so the petitioner may begin partial demolition. Commissioners noted the HBC may later recommend historic designation for the property to the Common Council but staff will follow up on what sidewalk-preservation options might be feasible.
Neighbors and the petitioner were advised to continue discussions with planning staff about whether the sidewalk can be salvaged or whether variances or grant-funded restoration could be pursued before construction begins.
