In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the fate of a church building declared substandard and unsafe for occupancy due to structural issues identified earlier this year. The city issued an official notice in June 2023, and by August, the building was deemed unfit for use. The property owner has two options: either to repair the structure to meet safety standards or to proceed with demolition.

The owner has opted for demolition, citing economic hardship and the findings of a structural assessment conducted by expert engineers. The assessment revealed that a water service line beneath the east wall may have leaked over the years, leading to erosion of the foundation and instability of the wall. Although the engineers described the current condition as stable, they warned that high winds or seismic activity could potentially cause a collapse into Pine Street. To ensure structural integrity, they recommended that the masonry wall be completely removed and rebuilt.

As the church is a nationally registered landmark, the commission must consider whether to approve the demolition application or to explore the possibility of designating the building as a local landmark. This designation process requires a three-fourths vote from the commission, which would then instruct staff to prepare a nomination form to assess if the building meets local criteria for landmark status. The meeting underscored the delicate balance between preserving historical structures and addressing safety concerns in the community.