Geneva blacksmith shop dodges wrecking ball again

The Geneva City Council fell one vote short this week of overturning the rejection of a developer’s request to tear down a circa-1840 former blacksmith shop.

On Monday, city council members voted 6-4 to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision to deny developer Shodeen’s request to demolish the limestone structure at 4 E. State St.

However, seven votes were required to overturn the preservation commission’s decision.

The commission voted unanimously last month to deny Shodeen’s third request to demolish the structure.

This time, Shodeen applied for demolition based on a provision in the city’s historic preservation code stating the “retention of a building, structure, object, improvement, or site is not in the best interest of the majority of the community.”

Second Ward Alderperson Bradley Kosirog said he had deep respect for the Historic Preservation Commission.

“But, based on the record before us, I find the structure no longer retains the level of integrity contemplated by the code,” Kosirog said.

“What remains is a partial remnant that has been significantly altered over time,” Kosirog said. “It is no longer functionally or physically connected to that which gave it historic significance.”

Others were reluctant to overturn the commission’s decision.

“I think it takes a lot to overturn a ruling by the HPC …,” First Ward Alderperson Anaïs Bowring said. “I do not see that the petitioner in this case has presented clear and compelling evidence that the community interest is served through demolition.”

First Ward Alderperson William Malecki said he was concerned about overruling the commission since the city and developer have been at odds over the former blacksmith shop for eight years, including in court.

“We, as a city, do value historical preservation. It’s … a highlight of our town,” Malecki said. “At this point, voting in favor of a property owner and overruling the HPC, it puts us in a really tough spot that I’m not willing to take.”

Fifth Ward Alderperson Mark Reinecke advocated for a collaborative middle ground between the developer and the city to achieve a way to preserve the structure.

“There’s an opportunity here for both development and preservation,” Reinecke said. “With that in mind, I would not support demolition. But I would support … collaborative efforts to reach a space where something — not just economically viable — but beautiful and of value to the community.”

Ultimately, the six who voted to overturn the preservation commission were Kosirog, 2nd Ward Alderperson Richard Marks, 3rd Ward Alderpersons Dean Kilburg and Larry Furnish, 4th Ward Alderperson Amy Mayer and Fifth Ward Alderperson Jeff Palmquist.

The four who voted against were Bowring, Reinecki, Malecki and 4th Ward Alderperson Martha Paschke.

David Patzelt, president of the Shodeen Group, declined to comment via text.