T-L Photo/JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH The former Patrick’s Restaurant is a bright green structure at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets in historic downtown Barnesville. The owner of the damaged building is seeking approval from the village to demolish it.

BARNESVILLE — The possible razing of the former Patrick’s Restaurant is moving to the next stage after the proposal received approval from the Barnesville Board of Architectural Review.

The owner of the building — located on the corner of Chestnut and Main streets — submitted a request to demolish the structure; however, the application must go through a two-step process prior to getting the green light. This process begins with the Architectural Review Board before being voted on by Barnesville Village Council.

Luke Johnson, a member of the board, said the request was unanimously approved by the board during Tuesday’s meeting. He said the board reviewed the application for the building to be torn down and replaced by a new building in the historic district of the village.

“We approved it based on the developer and what he’s going to do, and we also approved it because of the condition of the building,” he said, adding that the current structure incurred water damage, leaving it in poor condition. “I think it was a win-win for everybody having a new building put there … We look at progress and making our town better.”

Johnson said the board’s goal is to ensure that the final structure will feature similarities to the historical buildings that surround it.

“Right now we know that the final building will take on some of the style from the Ohio Hills (Health Center) building. Even if something new is built, we’re trying to keep the elements of the historical district going so it will look like it blends in,” he said. “… Our town has a lot of pride, and our community is very active and they take a lot of pride in the downtown area and we want to continue that for future generations. We have the Pumpkin Festival, we have Christmas in the Ville and I think what draws people to our small town is because it’s nice, it’s clean and the buildings are really an asset and they look good downtown.”

Though it has not yet been determined what will be constructed in place of the former restaurant, Johnson has confidence in the building owner’s intentions.

“It hasn’t been specified what exactly the building will be used for but the design of the building will be within the historical constraints,” he said. “The new owner is someone who is very involved in the community and takes great pride in what he does as a builder.”

Johnson said the response from the community so far appears to be positive.

“I think they know what’s going to be built there will be very nice,” he added.

If council approves the matter, the owner of the structure can move forward with the demolition of the building. Once that is complete another application must be submitted with design plans for the new structure that will take its place. The board and council must then approve that application prior to construction.

Johnson said it is a “tricky” process when dealing with historic buildings due to their close proximity to one another.

The final decision of whether the property owner will be able to demolish the building will be left to council. Council is expected to vote on the matter at its next meeting, set for 7 p.m. Monday at the municipal building on Arch Street.