THOMASVILLE — Legal counsel for a man remodeling two North Broad Street storefronts said he and his client are glad issues with the structures are resolved.

Lucas Stewart was prohibited by the Thomasville Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) from proceeding with work at the 116-118 North Broad buildings when the panel did not approve his choice for exterior brick, the Old Jackson pattern.

The HPC met at the construction site early Friday morning and tabled the brick question until a 4 p.m. meeting Friday. A number of people attended both meetings.

In a unanimous vote at the second Friday meeting, the HPC approved the Wellington brick pattern for the exterior.

“We’re happy to have all the issues resolved and move forward and make Thomasville a better place,” said Stewart’s attorney Bruce Warren said after the Friday afternoon HPC meeting.

Stewart said he will have to remove about Old Jackson 800 bricks at a cost of $5,000.

Mark Harmon, city building department chief, said the brick chosen will have tighter mortar and head joints and is not as stressed as Old Jackson brick.

The Wellington pattern is the brick on the exterior of the Brookwood School gymnasium.

One facade will stand one inch closer to Broad than the other to clearly distinguish the two facades, Harmon said.

In 1987, the HPC ordinance was adopted by the mayor and city council because residents understood economic, environmental and social benefits of preserving community character, said Mary Lawrence Lang, Thomasville Landmarks official.

“People saw the need to adopt a legal framework in order to best protect our historic assets for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations,” she added.

The HPC is comprised of three at-large members, as well as one representative each from architecture, construction, real estate, and a related field.

“Unfortunately, other cities have seen the devastating consequences that result from disregarding or not implementing historic preservation ordinances,” Lang said. “The fallout includes ordinary streetscapes that no longer draw shoppers and tourists, depleted cultural and economic resources that no longer attract new residents, and an irreparable loss of community identity.

“Thomasville is fortunate in the fact that in 31 years, only one HPC ruling has gone to appeal, and in that case, the HPC’s decision was upheld by the city council,” Lang added. “While reaching a decision is more difficult in some cases than in others, this record is evidence that the process is highly effective in reaching solutions that are agreeable. With an HP ordinance and a proven process at the local level, the city qualifies for state and federal funding opportunities that would not be available otherwise.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820