BEAUMONT, Texas — The Texas Historical Commission is weighing in on the fate of the Gilbert Building, asking the city not to order it to be demolished.
In a letter to the mayor and Beaumont City Council the historical commission implored them explore other options, if feasible, of allowing owner, Tom Flanagan, to save the remains of the structure.
A fire gutted the building more than two weeks ago on June 6, 2024.
The commission cited the building's contribution to the historic "Beaumont Commercial District" saying that demolishing it would be "irreversible."
The building is among 32 downtown buildings that make up the district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The "district is roughly bounded by Orleans, Bowie, Neches, Crockett, Laurel, Willow, Broadway, Pearl, Main, and Gilbert Streets," according to the registry listing.
Beaumont's city council is set to discuss, Tuesday afternoon during its regular meeting, the possibility of ordering the building to be razed within five days.
The council is also considering to have the city tear the structure down if Flanagan does not comply.
The commission notes a June 7 structural condition report by Fritz & Shipman that suggests the possibility of saving the exterior walls of the structure. That report mentioned the structural damage received by the exterior walls during the fire "cannot be fully assessed without closer inspection."
"We encourage the City to consider taking this 'closer inspection' before destroying what remains of a valuable piece of Beaumont’s history," the historic commission said in its letter.
They note in the letter that they know of "numerous examples" of other historic buildings being saved after "devastating" fires.
An offer to consult with Flanagan to "discuss grants, tax credits and various funding opportunities that might be potential resources going forward" was included in the letter.
The commission suggested in the letter that just saving the building's facade would still be beneficial for the Beaumont Commercial Historic District.