Hunter
04/01/24
The Iowa City City Council will be giving first consideration this week to designate an over 140-year-old building as a historic landmark, despite the owner’s objections.
The Daily Iowan reports the Pagliai’s Pizza building on East Bloomington Street is currently zoned for central business service; if approved it would be rezoned with a historic district overlay.
The building has been in the Slezak family since it was built by Joseph Slezak in 1880 and has been a saloon, hotel, grocery store and dance hall in the past. It has been home to Pagliai’s since 1969. The building also has 16 apartments and a laundromat.
The current owner, Gary Skarda, put the building up for sale in October with a price of $5 million. He said his health prevents him from doing upkeep on the property. He told the DI that Pagliai’s and the laundromat will remain open if the building is sold. Skarda says giving the building historic status would make it harder for him to sell the property.
Those in favor of the designation say it will prevent a future owner from tearing down the building and redeveloping it.
The city can still override Skarda’s objection if they get six affirmative votes on the designation.
