# Design board denies proposal to modify historic downtown building **Published:** 2026-06-17T16:00:00.000Z **Source:** [LFUCG Meeting Archive](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6802) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/design-board-denies-proposal-to-modify-historic-downtown-building LEXINGTON, Ky. — The [Courthouse Area Design Review Board](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/boards-commissions/courthouse-area-design-review-board) denied a request to modify the facade of a historic downtown building on June 17, citing concerns about the loss of character-defining features. The applicant sought approval to lower window sills and install bifold doors at 249 West Short Street, a building constructed around 1889 and [comprising approximately 2,900 square feet](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/06/16/courthouse-design-board-to-review-downtown-building-project/). The property, known as the Northern Bank Building and later as the New Union Building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the downtown commercial historic district. The applicant told the board the modifications were needed for a downtown bourbon experience venue and presented a rendering of the building styled to resemble a British pub. The proposal would remove existing windows and lower window sills to create openings for bifold doors with juliet-type railings to meet building code requirements. Staff recommended denial based on four design guidelines, including restrictions on damaging historic features and preservation of storefront character. "The guidelines discourage the removal of historic fabric and character defining features of an historic structure when modifications are made to the structure," staff stated in their report. The applicant contended that the windows being modified were installed during a 1962 renovation and that the concrete being cut was not original historic fabric. The applicant also noted the substantial cost of the project, estimating demolition and installation of glass would exceed $24,000, and described financial challenges in bringing the bourbon venue concept to downtown Lexington. The [CADRB reviews and approves development projects](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/boards-commissions/courthouse-area-design-review-board) within its designated downtown boundary, examining architectural design, materials, open space and landscaping. The design guidelines are based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. ## Sources - [LFUCG Meeting Archive](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6802) - [Courthouse Area Design Review Board official page](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/boards-commissions/courthouse-area-design-review-board) - [Lexington Times article on the June 17 meeting](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/06/16/courthouse-design-board-to-review-downtown-building-project/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from LFUCG Meeting Archive, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6802.