Demolition delayed for some historic buildings

It will be at least another year before the wrecking ball is free to swing on three historic buildings in downtown Wilmington, but there are mixed emotions about this delayed demolition.

The Wilmington Historical Preservation Commission has delayed the demolition of Chandlers Wharf Shops, McEachern’s Sons Warehouse and Taste of Country Restaurant for one year.

Some people believe the owners have the right to do whatever they want to with their buildings, but others disagree.

Kevin O’Grady of the Historic Wilmington Foundation said, “I can understand the motivation. It’s economics and what we’re saying is that when you take this building down you detract from all of the other buildings and all of the sudden it’s not the historic district anymore.”

O’Grady says the law doesn’t allow for the Wilmington Historic Preservation Committee to deny demolition permits, only to delay it.

He is asking the City Council to change that and give the Historic Preservation Committee the power to deny a demolition permit.