Knox Board of Works Grants Conditional Approval to Property Renovations

Property owner Lucia Valladares shared this rendering of 6 N. Pearl Street in Knox with the Board of Works

The owner of a house in downtown Knox that was slated for demolition last June has the green light to proceed with renovations as long as the foundation is structurally sound.

Lucia Valladares purchased the property 6 N. Pearl Street at tax sale last year. The Knox Board of Works Wednesday approved her plans for extensive renovations. They include enclosing the existing side and rear porches and bringing the stairs to the second floor and basement up to current code standards. New, larger front windows will be added upstairs and existing plumbing fixtures and a chimney will be removed.

A large master bedroom, bathroom and closet will be added on the first floor, along with a powder room and a mudroom/laundry area. The kitchen will be reconfigured as well. The second story will feature two bedrooms and a full bathroom.

Valladares told the Knox Board of Works Wednesday that a structural engineer will verify the integrity of the building’s foundation. The board approved her plans, pending a good report from the structural engineer. Valladares will need to submit a copy of the report to Knox Building Inspector Kevin Kotras and coordinate with him to obtain the necessary permits.