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Historic review board tables decision on 204 North 5th Street steps after debate over cast stone vs. poured concrete
Summary
The board tabled an application to replace original brownstone steps at 204 North 5th Street to allow the applicant to gather cost estimates and vendor information for cast stone alternatives that preservation staff recommended over poured‑in‑place concrete.
The City of Redding Historic Architectural Review Board voted to table an application for 204 North 5th Street after extensive discussion over appropriate materials and budget constraints. Preservation staff described the property as an 1877 Italianate building with original brownstone entrance steps; the applicant proposed replacing damaged brownstone treads with poured‑in‑place colored concrete and reproducing wrought‑iron railings.
Jairo of Ergonias Masonry Contractors described vehicle damage to the steps and said the owner’s insurer and homeowner had limited options; he said the contractor had seen approvals for colored concrete in other locations and hoped to proceed on a spring timetable. Preservation specialists and board members countered that cast stone (precast fine‑aggregate concrete fabricated to match original tread profiles) is the more appropriate in‑kind replacement for brownstone because it better matches color, profile and workmanship. One preservation specialist described cast stone as a precast product mixed to higher specifications (6–7,000 psi) and molded to replicate the full nosing profile so the finish and joints match original stonework.
The applicant said cast stone could exceed the homeowner’s budget and insurance settlement; board members offered to provide contractor contacts and suggested the applicant gather estimates. A motion to table the application until the applicant could research costs for alternatives such as cast stone carried on a roll call vote. The board encouraged the applicant to return with cost comparisons and any alternate proposals that meet the board’s window and masonry policies.
The tabling preserves the record so the applicant may return with documentation showing cost feasibility for cast stone or other approaches that better match the original material and profile. Staff offered to share local fabricators’ contact information and to assist with technical specifications.
