Historic Preservation recommends Smouse demolition

In a 3-0 vote, all present members of the Washington Historical Preservation Commission voted to recommend demolition of the Smouse House, (or Captain’s Table) historical building.

The historic property formerly housed Winfield Smouse, a real estate developer that was a major player in the community’s early planning and development.

“I did the math on this, and if you did do a renovation … $350-$465 a square foot to do anything with an existing structure like that, especially after reading (the engineering) report, I honestly think you’re more like $600 a square foot,” Commission member Craig Pettit said. “It’s unsafe at this point, I think it has to go. I think the construction needed to put this back would last years and would be cost-prohibitive.”

The engineering report on the building reported a wide range of costly issues, including black mold, lead paint, asbestos, an abandoned oil tank, foundation decay and extensive interior weathering. In total, repairs would total $1.5-$2 million.

“While it would be possible to save this building, it will be extremely expensive to do so,” the report said. “It would actually be cheaper to construct an entirely new structure similar to the existing building.”

Still, officials said it was a regrettable decision.

“It’s very sad, but it’s becoming an eyesore,” Commission Member Evie Richardson said.

Developer Jeff Hazelett, who currently owns the building, said there was little left to salvage.

“There’s very little in there currently, there’s not much historical, there’s not much from an aesthetic standpoint,” he said. “I wish there was more stuff in there that people could take.”

With the demolition approved by the preservation commission, the agenda item goes to the city council for a public hearing and expected approval at their first meeting in July.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com