Grant, a city staff member, told the board the demolition of the fire‑damaged, conjoined buildings at 34–40 Soledad Street is scheduled for early this month and that the city is moving forward with a contract for emergency stabilization, weatherproofing and removal of animals at the Republic Cafe across the street.

Staff said emergency work will make the cafe building watertight and address rodent removal, and that the municipality continues to coordinate with TF Design on longer‑range conceptual plans for affordable housing on the west side of Soledad Street (34–40), and a mixed project that could include housing and a museum at 37–39 Soledad Street. Grant said 37 Soledad (Republic Cafe) is nationally listed; 39 Soledad is not listed but is being evaluated in an updated historic‑structures report.

Board members asked whether architectural elements would be salvaged before demolition. Grant said contractors will salvage elements only to the extent it is safe; the forthcoming design work seeks to "recreate the facade" so the new building will provide visual continuity with the historic streetscape.

When asked about building height, a staffer confirmed the conceptual program discussed with TF Design included a five‑story affordable housing component; final massing and phasing will be determined by entitlements and what an affordable‑housing developer proposes in a future request for proposals.

What happens next: staff will proceed with the demolition schedule and finalize the stabilization contract for Republic Cafe; TF Design will continue work on historic structures reporting and conceptual floor plans. The board will receive future updates as designs and entitlements progress.