Demolition Approved for Historic Old Two Stick Building
An Iconic Fixture’s End
With little fanfare, the Oxford Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission approved a request on Monday to demolish an aging warehouse that has housed various businesses over the years, most notably the beloved Two Stick restaurant. This iconic building, located at 302 S. 11th Street, has been a fixture on the Oxford skyline since it was erected in 1930.
The Decline of the Old Two Stick Building
Currently owned by the First Presbyterian Church and used as a warehouse, the building has seen better days and has now fallen into disrepair. With the deterioration of the structure and the escalating cost of renovations, demolition and subsequent landscaping emerged as a more viable option for the church.
Plan Post-Demolition
The First Presbyterian Church intends to demolish the building and replace it with a landscaped lot, at least temporarily. The proposed landscaping plan outlines the continuation of the existing parking facility and the addition of a sodded area where the building currently stands, bordered by plants around this newly grassed section.
In alignment with city code, the demolition of any structure in a historic district requires the owner to present comprehensive plans, either for a new building or for landscaping, ensuring that the lots do not sit empty and bare post-demolition.
Preservation Considerations
Prior to approving the demolition, the commission had to carefully evaluate several factors. Specifically, the city’s Code of Ordinances mandates that the commission consider the architectural, cultural or historical significance of the structure, its contribution to the architectural character of the district, its influence on the value of neighboring properties, and the difficulty, if not impossibility, of reproducing such a resource due to its unique texture, design, material, or detail.
The Impact on the Community
The demolition and subsequent landscape transformation of the Old Two Stick Building site will inevitably revolutionize the look and feel of the 11th Street block. Time will tell whether this change will be a welcome shift or a much lamented loss.
For now, the community awaits the commencement of this transition, looking on with a mixture of nostalgia for the past and curiosity for the future. The First Presbyterian Church, a steward of this historic site, carries the responsibility of ensuring that the transformation honours the rich history of the Old Two Stick Building while ushering in a new era for the Oxford cityscape.
