7104 Coliseum St.

District: Uptown - Partial Control

Owner: Symmetry Properties LLC

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Garret Willis

Permit #: 23-34468-HDLC

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition states that the demolition of all or portions of historic resources within a local Historic District or Landmark site are considered drastic actions, since they alter the character of the area. Once historic resources or buildings that contribute to the heritage of the community are destroyed, it is generally impossible to reproduce their design, texture, materials, details and their special character and interest in the neighborhood. When reviewing demolition applications at properties located within a Historic District or at a Landmark site, the HDLC uses the following criteria in its evaluations:

• The historic or architectural significance of the building or structure as designated by its “rating”: Contributing

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:   FEMA survey research indicates the building at 7104 Coliseum was constructed between 1920-30, however, a single-story building first appears on the 1909 Fire Insurance Maps. Prior to 1951 a second story was added converting the single-family home into a two-story, two-family building. The craftsman detailing that remains today was more than likely added during the addition/renovation. 

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: 

While reproduction might not be cost-prohibitive, recreation of historic details such as wood doors/sidelights at the second floor, rafter tails, massing, and narrow reveal weather boards would be difficult and unlikely.  Any new construction 7104 Coliseum would likely not share this building's same massing, roofline and character, which could alter the streetscape considerably.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  While altered with missing front porch details at the first floor 7104 Coliseum tells the story of the history of it's existence and the evolution of the uptown historic district.

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Staff conducted an exterior and interior inspection on December 21, 2023. The building was found to be in poor condition.

The wood framed superstructure rests on a pier and beam foundation. Weatherboards are nailed directed to the studs without sheathing. The second floor portion of the primary façade is covered in stucco with some wood windows and doors still present. The roof is comprised of standing seam metal roof.

The main portion of the building is slightly out of plumb as evidenced by the door jambs at the primary façade.  The piers on the Broadway side of the building had settled out of plumb which may have caused the aforementioned issue. This is not uncommon for a building of this age and construction method. Some piers also appeared to have been shimmed incompetently with concrete. Newer concrete piers also showed signs of settlement. The foundation needs substantial work to make the overall building competent. At the rear of the building the side concrete slab porch has failed and soffit boards are falling suggesting the members they're affixed to are rotten. The rear section of the building the sill has deteriorated dramatically and joists are not making contact in that location. However, sills in most locations appeared to be in good condition which would suggest the piers are the cause of any failure. The standing seam metal roof appeared to be competent and shedding water.

The interior spaces were mostly dry with some damage to dropped ceiling tiles more than likely caused by plumbing leaks. Cracked plaster and drywall was noted at the front wall of the building adjacent to the front door. The drywall have been removed exposing most of the exterior load bearing wall framing with minimal damage visible. Wood destroying insect damage was noted predominantly in non load bearing framing. It is possible that there is sporadic wood destroying insect damage throughout the interior wall framing.

• Staff Recommendations: Given the presumed history of the building and the addition of a second story it doesn't seem unusual for the piers to have suffered failure over the years. A great deal of building of this construction method and condition have been successfully rehabilitated. 

The applicant initially applied for full demolition. Prior to the January 1st HDLC Commission meeting they decided to revamp the plans to utilize more of the original building structure. The proposal before you aims to utilize the first 20ft of the existing building and the current door opening locations. Below are the current demolition calculations:

• Roof Demolition: 66%

• Linear Wall Demolition: 67%

• Primary Façade Demolition: 25%

It is unclear whether the current second floor was the original one-story building that was raised prior to 1951 with a first floor infill. The level of roof and wall demolition are high but the proposed addition is approximately 20ft (2 rooms) back from the primary façade which is not an uncommon threshhold for additions in full control districts. For the aforementioned reasons Staff recommends the Approval of first proposal.

• Recommendation: Staff recommends the Approval.