The Brownsville Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 14 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to restore the front balcony and porch details on the Henry M. Field storefront and adjacent Pacheco complex.

Commission staff said the building — shown in historic photos from the late 19th and early 20th centuries — will have its first-floor wood columns rebuilt to match the original appearance, and that replacement posts must be 6 inches by 6 inches in section. Staff added that a wood finish over an interior metal core is acceptable to meet structural needs.

Planning staff presented historical photographs and drawings showing the building’s evolution and said the owner agreed to reconstruct spindle work and lace-like brackets. “All the existing spindle work, breezes, and lace like brackets must be preserved, built in replicas on empty spaces,” the staff report said. The staff recommendation noted the property’s high preservation priority ranking and recommended ratifying an administrative Certificate of Appropriateness already signed in February.

An owner representative, Sandra Saenz, told the commission the work will stabilize a deteriorating balcony and that the project team already has city permission to perform the structural repairs and roof work. Saenz said the work will encroach slightly into the curb during construction and that the project team intends to reinstall the curb after setting the posts and pouring concrete. She also said the parallel parking spaces along that block will be removed and the project team will consult the city about parking or potential conversion to a bike lane.

Commissioners asked for details about alignment of the new posts with second-floor posts and discussed preservation of existing beams and replacement-matching materials. After public testimony and staff explanation, a motion to approve the proposed work passed on a voice vote.

The commission did not specify a vote tally in the record. The Certificate of Appropriateness will be finalized with the project drawings to ensure the approved details are included in the building permit submission.