January 4, 2005

Galveston Landmark Commission

The Galveston Landmark Commission on Monday approved a request for a certificate of appropriateness for alterations to the structure at 202 Rosenberg, which is also known as the Panama Hotel.

The building was constructed in 1912 and was described in a 1988 survey as having “20^th century commercial” architecture. 

In conjunction with the rehabilitation of the structure as a condominium development, the applicant is also creating retail spaces on the first floor. 

The applicant, Andrew Kaldis of Panama Venture, Ltd., is proposing to install either wood shutters or green and white striped canvas awnings in the transom area of the storefronts located on the north facade and the northern half of the west facade.

"The wood shutters, in a 'Bahama' style, are not typical to the Strand, or the City of Galveston, and do not have any historical precedence at the Panama Hotel," said Historic Preservation Officer Lori Feild. But Feild said a historic postcard shows it once had green and white striped awnings on the storefront windows of the west facade.

"Based on the guidelines (for such properties) and supporting documentation," Feild said, "the addition of the green and white striped canvas awnings appears to conform to the Design Guidelines for Historic Districts in Galveston."  

The Landmark Commission approved a request for a recommendation for a variance from the Galveston Zoning
Standards for the property at 506 Christopher Columbus at 14^th Street regarding gross floor area, visual screening and rear yard setback requirements in a Neighborhood Services with Historical Overlay zoning district.  The applicant is Eubanks Group Architects.  The property owner is John F. Bannon, Jr. 

A request from property owner Travers E. Powell for approval for a certificate of appropriateness for alterations to the structure at 1415 Avenue E at Postoffice was deferred until February 7 to allow the applicant to be present.

All other requests were deferred until February 7 to allow the commission to receive more information from applicants.

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