Plans for demolishing portions of a decaying packing shed at 330 Porter St., in the Town of Washington moved forward after a proposal was approved by the Architectural Review Board (ARB) on Tuesday.
D.C. developer and Rappahannock resident Jim Abdo and property co-manager Gordon Buist, both present at the Tuesday evening meeting, submitted an application to the board outlining plans to demolish those portions of the packing shed that are beyond repair, as well as ready the building for future renovations.
ARB Chair Deborah Harris and board members Drew Mitchell, Wes Kerr and Ryan Crabbe unanimously approved the application as it was submitted. Board member Nanette Edwards was absent.
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Applicants Jim Abdo (right) and Gordon Buist explain demolition plans for the packing shed to the ARB. (Photo/Ireland Hayes for Foothills Forum)
Kerr asked the applicants if they had considered temporary fencing to conceal any unsightly demolition progress. Abdo said they plan to get the demolition done quickly, and the construction waste “in a dumpster and out of here” within a week or so. If the demolition were to be prolonged in any way, Abdo said they would be happy to consider temporary fencing.
“Any demolition is going to be better than what’s there now,” Kerr said.
During public comment Nancy Buntin, who lives near the packing shed, said she is looking forward to the property being improved. She said residents are “developing a neighborhood” in that area of town, and hopes whatever goes into the space will be compatible with the full-time residences nearby.
Abdo said after “Phase 1,” which includes demolishing all portions of the building that are collapsed or “can cause issues for people,” the team plans to continue to work with the town, community members and Zoning Administrator Steve Gyurisin to plan for a renovation that makes sense for the community. Abdo said he and his team will return to the ARB once further plans are finalized.
“We haven’t got that far yet…it’s our intention that when we get this figured out better, to come back to you,” Abdo said. “We don’t really know what we’ve got until we start peeling the layers of the onion back.”
Ireland Hayes is a reporter for Foothills Forum, a nonprofit organization that supports local news in Rappahannock County.
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