Council tables vote on proposed demolition of downtown building pending public hearing

The council considered an item accepting the Historic Architectural Review Board's recommendation to deny a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of the Mattis Law office building at 324 North Washington (Fidelity Bank listed in the notice). City staff described structural and safety problems under a sidewalk and said the building's condition contributed to HARB's recommendation.

Several council members asked for the full HARB application, backup materials and the structural/engineering evaluation that HARB had received before making a decision. Councilor Gilbride and others requested those materials be shared with council and HARB prior to a hearing.

Although the resolution was introduced into committee, councilor Flynn moved to table item 5c so a public hearing can be held; the motion to table passed and the item was scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Councilors noted that representatives from Fidelity Bank will be asked to appear at the hearing to provide information to members before any final vote.

The council did not make a final determination on demolition at the meeting; it instead asked for more documentation and set the hearing date to allow public comment and testimony from the applicant and staff.