Perry to demolish the old Stanley building

Perry Main Street Advisory Board held a meeting at city hall on Thursday July 1 at 5:00 p.m. All these meetings are open to the public unless otherwise posted. In this meeting several topics were discussed, including the Alley Project, Boost Grant, T-Mobile, etc.

Starting off the meeting was a Boost Grant update by City of Perry Downtown Manager Jazmin Thomas. Thomas provided some input for the program so members could look forward to potential boosters. The board agreed to allow marketing/advertising as an eligible item. Chairman Trish Cossart suggested boosters be sought from now through December for an award then, and again in June each year; the board agreed. Thomas also presented the Alleyway project update. She presented the update to the DDA, and they are willing to offer $4,000, but would like to see additional estimates for the gravel/pea stone. Thomas spoke with the city engineer, and he felt concrete and grading would be the better solution. Director Gordan is scheduled to meet with two contractions in the next week and those estimates will be brought forth to the DDA. The board agreed to have the project completed by October 15.

Community Development Director Bryan Wood then presented the certificate of appropriateness review – 900 Commerce Street. Wood advised the applicant proposes splitting the single existing commercial space into two spaces with separate entrances. In doing so, proposes replacing an existing window with a door. The existing door will be replaced and the existing “Williamsburgesque” awning will be removed. The building façade is proposed to be painted in shades of gray. Staff believes the proposal complies with the applicable design standards and recommends approval.

Thomas then reviewed the budget and advised $10,000 had been awarded for façade grants. Cossart suggested the Run Big Shop Small event be done again as a fundraiser; all the materials are on hand, and it was a big success last year. The board agreed and Thomas will work on putting that together. Thomas also requested review of the award structures. Cossart asked the board of they would like to include murals under the paint reimbursement. The board agreed to add murals and retain the other structures as presented.

Director Loudermilk motioned to amend the façade grant applicant to include murals to the paint category with a maximum of $1,000; the motion was seconded by Director Deshazier and was unanimously approved.

Next, in the meeting, the applicant proposed to install an awning on the front façade of the building located at 1021 Ball Street. The building has been painted off-white and will have a mural painted on the alley side. The awning is proposed as solid light blue similar to the blue paint that will be incorporated into the mural. A scalloped edge with off-white trim was proposed. The staff believed the application was consistent with the design standards for the Downtown Development Overlay District, and therefore, recommended approval of the application.

Lastly there is a request for the demolition of the Stanley building and the storage building behind the Perry Events Center. The city of Perry recently purchased the former Stanley Furniture building on Macon Road, and intends to demolish the building and most of the pavement. The intent is to develop a park on the property in the future. For, now the site will be stabilized with grass. Additionally, the metal storage building behind the Perry Events Center is proposed to be torn down. The city has no use for the building. The area will become additional parking.

The Stanley building was constructed prior to 1955 with an addition on the front of the original building constructed prior to 1971. A rear metal addition was added later. The original building has a major deterioration due to water damage, and a portion of the roof has caved in. Any historical significance of the original building is deemed to have been lost due to the later additions that appear to have any historical significance.

With the belief that the application is consistent with the design standards for the Downtown Development Overlay District, the advisory board recommended approval of the application. With there being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned.

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