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Board backs 4.5‑story K Street parking garage design, says green wall and mural must remain
Summary
The board approved a certificate of appropriateness for a proposed 4.5‑story, city‑owned parking garage on South K Street and recommended the related plan development ordinance to the city commission with a preference for Option 1 (green wall and mural) and several additional conditions; the recommendation passed 5–2.
The Historic Resources Preservation Board voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for new construction of a 4.5‑story parking garage at approximately 25 South K Street and recommended the related mixed‑use plan development ordinance (2026‑05) to the city commission with specific conditions.
Anne Hamilton, the staff presenter, described two design options: Option 1 includes a living green wall and a mural on the stair tower; Option 2 omits both. Hamilton said staff found the garage’s materials and massing acceptable within the broader downtown context and recommended approval with conditions, while noting the project must still satisfy multiple site‑plan and technical review requirements. Hamilton also summarized zoning requests and waivers related to height, setbacks, impermeable coverage and ground‑floor transparency and said the applicant calculated a sustainable bonus fee of $505,980 (50% payable to the city; remainder potentially in qualifying improvements).
Applicant representative Lance Lilly reiterated the project’s history and rationale and said the proposal provides approximately 260 parking spaces with a net gain of about 196 spaces after demolition of existing surface lots. Lilly said the development area is roughly 0.77–0.8 acres and that the city and CRA are funding the project. He noted a neighborhood meeting had been held on April 13.
Board discussion focused on scale, stormwater and landscaping. Several members said they were reluctant to grant landscape waivers for a city‑sponsored project without the green wall mitigation; one member moved to approve only Option 1 (with green wall and mural) and to condition the plan development recommendation accordingly. The motions to approve the COA for new construction and to recommend the ordinance with the Option 1 requirement passed with a majority; staff noted next steps include a likely special commission meeting in late May for first/second readings and continued civil/stormwater review at permit stage.
