119 Broadway St.

District: Uptown -  Partial

Owner: Marengo Investments, LLC

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Caveman Demolition

Permit #: 24-17943-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: While the building’s overall form and massing is extant, it has unfortunately been stripped of most of its historic details and its façade has been radically altered since 2011. 

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: None known at this time.

• 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 massing and form is unlikely. 

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  Minimal. While the building has retained the same general footprint and massing since at least 1937 (as per Sanborn map research), an unsympathetic renovation between 2007 – 2011 radically altered the front facing (Broadway Street/Leake Avenue) elevation, completely removing the front porch, columns, and stairs. This renovation also removed one of the front doors and front windows of the building, leaving the front façade asymmetrical and the front overhang unsupported. While support beams are visible in photos from this time period, the beams were removed by 2014 and the building appears to have been left in this unfinished and precarious state to present day. 

• The condition of the building or structure: 

HDLC Staff conducted an exterior and interior inspection on June 21, 2024. As per his inspection report (below): ”The building is in very poor condition. The foundation may be beyond repair and large portions of the building were reframed to modify the fenestration. The porch and columns were also removed. More reframing will also be required to address rot and termite damage. Very little of what is left of the historic building is salvageable.” 

Staff Recommendations: HDLC Staff has no objection to the demolition due to the unsympathetic  alterations and current condition of the building.

• Staff Recommendation: 

No objection