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Walker House rehab plan: city contractor describes restoration, adobe surprises and next steps
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Summary
Motley Design Group described a restoration approach for the city-owned Walker House, including masonry repair, adobe stabilization, new MEP systems and an intended basic tenant-ready condition; staff said $750,000 from the historic acquisition fund supported the project and an ice-cream tenant is a working option.
Bob Graham, principal of Motley Design Group, presented the Walker House rehabilitation at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, saying the project is at roughly a 60% design stage and the team expects to complete plans in about three weeks. Graham said the exterior scope focuses on restoration—removing paint to reveal original brick, extensive masonry repair, replicating lost porch posts and retaining and repairing original wood windows and an original entry door where possible.
Graham said crews discovered the building has an adobe substrate behind the brick veneer; that discovery requires staged adobe repair and stabilization. “Nobody knew until they started to move it that this was an adobe building,” Graham said, noting the city is working with an adobe specialist and a contractor experienced with historic adobe repairs to stabilize and replaster the material in sections.
Interior work will generally be patch and repair, Graham said; the renovation will add an ADA restroom, replace mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and provide a tenant-ready, flexible fit-out rather than a tenant-specific build. The city’s working plan is to lease the rehabilitated house to a small retail or food use—Graham referenced an ice-cream shop as a likely tenant in current planning—but staff said tenant selection may require additional work once a lease is pursued.
Staff and commissioners asked whether any adobe would be exposed for interpretation. Graham and staff said adobe repair and replastering is the immediate priority, but staff will consider interpretive exposure where resources and preservation needs allow. Commissioners also asked whether the moved building would retain National Register eligibility; Graham said the building retains substantial architectural integrity and he would support a nomination.
Financial and project notes included staff’s statement that roughly $750,000 from the Endangered Historic Properties Acquisition Fund was allocated to Walker House work and that the city plans to reenergize the building’s service systems and create a warm-shell/tenant-ready condition before a final tenant fit-out. No final construction budget or lease terms were provided in the meeting.
Why it matters: The Walker House is a city-owned historic property; the adobe discovery affects repair scope and cost and raises questions about interpretation and long-term stewardship. Commissioners urged protective stabilization and earlier involvement when contractors are retained for significant works.
