The home of a local pizza icon is being considered for historic landmark designation despite the building owner's pleas to abandon the campaign.
The Iowa City City Council on Tuesday, April 2 chose to consult with the Planning and Zoning Commission before adding a historic preservation overlay district to 302-316 Bloomington Street.
The address is home to Pagliai’s Pizza, several apartments, and a laundromat.
City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission Chair cited the property’s long-standing, integral presence in the northside neighborhood. They also referenced the structure's "unique character" and "one-of-a-kind architecture."
The building and laundromat are considered one property and would be rezoned under the historic preservation district designation.
Pagliai’s Pizza opened in 1969 and eventually became its most iconic tenant, having served residents for more than 50 years.
Building owner Gary Skarda put the E. Bloomington property up for sale for $5 million in October 2023.
From October:Pagliai's Pizza building hits the real estate market at $5 million, business will stay open
Building owner Gary Skarda filed a protest of the commission’s historic landmark recommendation just hours before the council meeting, meaning a “supermajority” of the council, six of the seven members, would need to approve the historic designation. A typical, uncontested vote would require only a simple majority of four councilors.
Councilor Laura Bergus was absent at Tuesday’s meeting and thus, a unanimous vote was needed.
Skarda believes a historic landmark designation would make the building more difficult to sell.
A protective rezoning would force owners to consult the Historic Preservation Commission before making physical changes to the building.
The Iowa City City Council on Tuesday, April 2 chose to consult with the Planning and Zoning Commission before adding a historic preservation overlay district to 302-316 Bloomington Street.
The address is home to Pagliai’s Pizza, several apartments, and a laundromat.
City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission Chair cited the property’s long-standing, integral presence in the northside neighborhood. They also referenced the structure's "unique character" and "one-of-a-kind architecture."
E. Bloomington property is nearly 150 years old
First built in 1875, the primary building at 302. E. Bloomington Street was used for a Czech dance club. The adjacent laundromat was initially a horse stable. The building's interior was renovated through the years into an apartment-type building that also included a market.The building and laundromat are considered one property and would be rezoned under the historic preservation district designation.
Pagliai’s Pizza opened in 1969 and eventually became its most iconic tenant, having served residents for more than 50 years.
Building owner Gary Skarda put the E. Bloomington property up for sale for $5 million in October 2023.
From October:Pagliai's Pizza building hits the real estate market at $5 million, business will stay open
Teague, Salih have minor concerns, shelving vote
The April 2 council meeting was met with broad community support for the building. A group of people passed out stickers that urged the council to “Save the Pagliai’s Building.”Building owner Gary Skarda filed a protest of the commission’s historic landmark recommendation just hours before the council meeting, meaning a “supermajority” of the council, six of the seven members, would need to approve the historic designation. A typical, uncontested vote would require only a simple majority of four councilors.
Councilor Laura Bergus was absent at Tuesday’s meeting and thus, a unanimous vote was needed.
Skarda believes a historic landmark designation would make the building more difficult to sell.
A protective rezoning would force owners to consult the Historic Preservation Commission before making physical changes to the building.
Iowa City considering Pagliai's Pizza building as historic landmark, but landlord objects
Efforts to designate the Pagliai's Pizza building as a historic landmark were paused Tuesday as councilors considered concerns from the landlord.
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