Erie City Council votes for historic designation for the Mayer Block

Erie City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to amend the Erie Zoning Ordinance to designate the Mayer Block, 1501-1509 State Street, as Erie’s first historic landmark.

This new designation provides certain design review protections and potential grant funding opportunities that will help ensure that this important resource retains its historic character and continues to be an important part of the City.

The City’s Historic Review Commission was created in 2021 to support and promote effective historic preservation practices in Erie. Part of that mission was to amend the zoning ordinance to create locally designated historic districts and landmarks, which are a way for the city to highlight historic buildings and neighborhoods that are part of the rich tapestry of Erie’s story.

The Mayer building is Erie’s first locally designated historic landmark because it is Erie’s most recent listing on the National Register of Historic Places, designated in May 2021. In addition, the City’s designation had overwhelming support from the Performing Arts Collective Alliance (PACA), which owns and occupies the building.