By Tia Lyons
Staff Writer
The El Dorado Historic District Commission approved a request for modifications on a downtown remodeling project.
Commissioners convened a specially called meeting Friday to consider revisions to a Certificate of Appropriateness for the conversion of a commercial building at 313 E. Main to a residential space.
It is the second revision the EHDC has endorsed for the ongoing project.
Commissioners approved the initial COA in December 2017 and they signed off on a second COA in February when design plans changed for the southern façade, which will be refitted into a space that will be suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
The southern façade faces Cedar Street.
COAs are required for most exterior projects within the city’s commercial historic district.
On Friday, Blake Dunn, of CADM Architecture Inc., told commissioners that plans have again changed for the southern façade, explaining that owners Dr. Steve and Michelle Smart of Smart Revocable Trust are seeking to improve on the design.
“Revisions, as the project has progressed, have evolved on how to use the property,” Dunn said.
He said the property will be used as a principle residence and to entertain guests.
The new design calls for a shallow patio covering most of the southern façade with a new glass wall separating the patio from the building’s interior.
The glass wall would replace plans for a large bi-fold door and separate, double-entry doors that were previously approved by the EHDC.
Dunn said the Smarts also intend to use salvageable brick from the exterior wall, adding that the brick will be cleaned in order to maintain natural brick instead of painting the brick as originally planned.
“If we don’t have enough to salvage, we will supplement it with new (antique) brick. You can’t paint new brick in the (commercial historic) district anyway,” Dunn said.
He noted that the aluminum, storefront style is similar to facilities within the nearby Murphy Arts District.
Commissioner Doug Stanton said the new proposal falls in line with improvement efforts that do not deviate from the historic district’s architectural style or attempt to “recreate the past.”
Dunn previously told commissioners that the Smarts hope to complete the project by the fall.
Elizabeth Eggleston, executive director of the EHDC, inquired about a scheduled date of completion.
“If they’ve established one with the builder, I’m not aware of it, but I would guess, maybe, 45 to 60 days,” Dunn said, adding, “We hope the brick work will start (today).”
The single-story building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing structure within the commercial historic district, meaning that it is at least 50 years old and has not been significantly altered from its original appearance.
The building once housed the El Dorado News-Times and most recently served as the El Dorado offices of environmental engineering firm Atoka, Inc.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at [email protected].