A.4 - 506 Congress - staff report — original pdf

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APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT WITHIN A NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION CONGRESS AVENUE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT NOVEMBER 16, 2020 506 CONGRESS AVENUE C.6 - 1 PROPOSAL Paint a mural on the face of the building. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The applicant proposes painting a mural on the face of the building on Congress Avenue. This building was the former Yaring’s Store, but was architecturally modified in 2002 with the installation of additional tall fixed sash windows in the second story and a new steel and glass storefront, so that it may no longer be contributing to the Congress Avenue National Register Historic District. The changes were reviewed and approved by the Commission in 2002. 506 Congress Avenue prior to 2002 remodeling 506 Congress Avenue after renovations The proposed mural is large and colorful with a soccer motif. It was designed by renowned Spanish artist Ruben Sanchez; Here is his website https://www.iamrubensanchez.com C.6 - 2 STANDARDS FOR REVIEW The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation do not apply to artwork applied to buildings in historic districts, and the Commission has no specific guidelines or standards for proposed artwork. The mural could be removed in the future without damage to the structure. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS C.6 - 3 Not reviewed. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends postponement to resolve outstanding questions and processes relating to this building and proposal. The pre-2002 façade of the Yaring’s Building was not yet 50 years old at the time that the Commission reviewed the modifications to the storefront and upper story, and the Congress Avenue historic district nomination did not call out the building as significant (there were no determinations of contributing or non-contributing structures in that nomination). The question now is whether the building retains sufficient integrity to relate its history so that it would be contributing to the historic district today. This building is between two historic landmarks: the Robinson-Rosner Building at 504 Congress Avenue to the south, and the Scarbrough Building to the north. The Commission should identify and evaluate any concerns about introducing a bold and colorful mural on this building as it potentially affects the context of the two adjacent historic landmark buildings as well as the context of the Congress Avenue Historic District. The applicant should consult with the staff of the Art in Public Places program for their input on this mural before the Commission renders a decision.