Wichita City Council members voted unanimously to override a decision by the city’s Historic Preservation Board and allow the demolition of a vacant downtown building.

The development firm of Equisset purchased a building at 632 North Topeka in 2023 and plans to develop it into multi-family housing, although plans have not been finalized. The building is part of the North Topeka Avenue Apartments Historic District, which has four properties.   The district is on the state and national registers of historic places, but the building itself is not listed on any register.   The Historic Preservation Board denied a demolition permit during a December meeting, saying it would damage or destroy an historic building.

Equisset general manager Stratton Lange said the main concern with the building is safety.  He said the windows are damaged and some flooring has collapsed, and a structural assessment found that the cost of renovation would exceed the value of the building.   Lange said his firm has higher and better uses in mind to redevelop the property.

The Council voted unanimously to override a denial by the Historic Preservation Board, finding there were no prudent or feasible alternatives to demolition.