The owners of the historic Richards building downtown can keep the white stain they applied to the building’s previously unpainted brick facade despite monthslong community opposition and the violation of a stop-work order.
Alessio Development filed an appeal in response to the Historic Preservation Commission’s August decision demanding the removal of the paint . The Fort Myers City Council voted 4-3 in a special meeting Wednesday to overturn the HPC’s ruling on the Richards building. During that meeting, both Alessio Development and the City presented their cases.
Council members Fred Burson, Terolyn Watson, Johnny Streets Jr. and Darla Bonk voted to grant the appeal, while Mayor Kevin Anderson and councilmembers Liston Bochette III and Teresa Watkins Brown voted against it.
A key point of contention throughout the controversy was whether or not the building’s façade had been previously painted. Alessio Development argued that because the sides and rear of the building had been painted, a certificate of review was not required for the front façade.