For the second time in a month, a developer is seeking approval to demolish a building along Oak Street. Legacy Development is asking for permission to demolish a one-story building at 334 N. Oak Street at the base of the Kensington Expressway. Two weeks ago, Iskalo Development sought to demolish 254-56 Oak Street which the Preservation Board recommended denying.
Legacy Development acquired six properties in May 2020 from Bruce Adler for $2.7 million. Legacy was not able to stabilize 324 Oak Street and last July, a significant portion of its roof and façade collapsed and the building was demolished. It was the second of Adler’s buildings lost in recent years from neglect. In late-2019, 435 Ellicott Street was demolished after its roof caved in.
The developer is working on reuse plans for the assemblage and the proposed building to be demolished is a non-contributing structure within the Genesee Gateway Historic District.
From the demolition application:
Legacy Development is seeking approval to demolish the Appliance Building on 334 North Oak Street leaving the townhouse and warehouse to remain on the lot. The period of significance of the Gateway District previously known as the Washington market is approximately 1860s to the 1930s.
There are currently three buildings on the 334 parcel. The 3-story townhouse, 2-story warehouse building, and the 1-story building. The single-story portion has a flat roof and late 20th century styled storefront window system constructed around 1975. This building has been deemed a non-contributing portion of the historical district and shows no architectural details. Legacy would like to remove the non-contributing building to move forward on the entire Main Gateway project.
We are currently working on preliminary designs for a new building to enhance the property and bring more people back into the surrounding area.
Steps will be taken to preserve the surrounding buildings on site if the demolition proceeds: