ESSEX — The fate of the Main Street Antiques building at 44 Main St. remains a question.
The building is one of the last in the Second Empire-style, built during the 1880s, existing in Essex, according to town records. It has been the subject of a four-month demolition delay agreed to in late March.
Essex Historical Commissioner Tom Lang said the demolition delay ends this Friday, July 18.
“We found the building historically significant enough to warrant a four-month delay which gives the property owner and others the opportunity to pause and possibly seek alternatives,” Lang said.
Sean Costello of Costello Construction & Remodeling Inc. is under contract with Main Street Antiques owner Robert Coviello to buy the property at 44 Main St.
Coviello said a condominium project is still proposed for the site.
“Everything is still proceeding forward except with a different plan,” Coviello said.
Initial plans for the site called for the construction of a complex of 14-18 condominiums, with 23 parking spaces to be built under the structure and an additional 14 spaces outside. The initial plan also called for commercial space to be built on the site.
Joel Favazza, the attorney who represents Costello, said the building plan has recently changed.
“In the meantime, the project has been retooled as a ground-level commercial unit and six residential units (three per floor) on the second and third levels,” Favazza said.
Favazza said the new design is being reviewed by the Planning Board, which includes a public hearing that opened June 18. During the hearing, project leaders presented the updated plans.
If the Planning Board grants the requisite special permit, Favazza said, “We would still need to complete site plan review and seek permission for additional sewage flow from the Board of Public Works before the project could begin construction.”
Lang said the commission members have not been swayed by changes made to the building plan.
“Our opinion that 44 Main St. should remain part of Essex has not changed,” Lang said. “The aesthetics, size, impact on abutters, impact on traffic, impact on the town in general or further ramifications (if any) are out of the purview of the Historical Commission.”
In March, the commission voted unanimously during a public hearing to to deem the structure “preferably preserved,” which trigged the demolition delay, staving off its planned demolition and development for four months. Approximately 50 people attended the hearing, including Favazza, Costello and Coviello.
Lang said all five commission members have indicated the building should be saved.
“That is why we voted unanimously for the demolition delay,” he said.