A York City review panel on Nov. 14 approved an application from Royal Square Development to remove failing balustrades at 1 South George Street and store their decorative elements in the adjacent comfort-station basements.

Dylan Bauer of Royal Square Development said the company aims “to renovate that building into commercial use” and asked permission to remove the balustrades, place them in the basement of the comfort stations and install metal hatches for future access. He told the panel the applicant had coordinated with the city engineer and that some underground electrical repairs prompted the review.

Consultant Brad Fisher described the railings as extensively cracked and deteriorated and said moving them will require heavy equipment. Bauer said preservation steps include removing the bronze handrails and storing them inside the comfort-station basements. The applicant added that one section of railing replaced about a decade ago cost roughly $40,000 and that repairing all of the balustrades had been characterized in discussion as a “six-figure” undertaking.

Board members acknowledged the features’ historic character but emphasized safety and long-term preservation. “These railings are crumbling, severely deteriorated,” one member said, arguing the elements would be better preserved in storage than left exposed. Bauer told the board the tall central vent/monument would remain and that access hatches would allow city staff to continue routine work, including signal light control.

Chair (S1) moved to accept the application as presented; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

Next steps noted at the meeting: the applicant will coordinate hatch locations with city staff so the city can retain necessary maintenance access, and the developer will proceed with the removal and storage plan on the timetable discussed in the hearing.