NEW ALBANY, IN (AP) An historic preservation commission has cleared the way for the demolition of three buildings in New Albany’s historic district to make way for a YMCA and an indoor swimming complex.

Officials hope the new Scribner Place development will be a catalyst for downtown redevelopment, said Scott Wood, a city planner.

Preservationists agreed to the demolition because the three buildings, while historic, lacked the distinctive characteristics needed to be included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Laura Renwick, a historic preservation specialist, said demolishing the buildings “would have a negative impact on the historic district.” But she noted the structures are not “of the highest architectural or historic significance.”

The buildings include one dating to the 1880s that has been altered over the years and a 1930s commercial building next door.

The commission has asked city officials to preserve limestone components that are part of the 1880s building.

Today's top stories

North Causeway Bridge Offers Innovation, Congestion Relief for Fort Pierce, Fla., Motorists

Missouri's $284M Chester Bridge Under Construction

Mecalac Offers Telescopic Wheel Loader to Improve Stability, Mobility in Material Handling Applications

Chicago Bears Announce Plans for New Enclosed Stadium

Oshkosh Corporation to Acquire AUSA

Webuild Ready to Rebuild Collapsed Baltimore Bridge

Ground Broken at Site of Lower Manhattan's $200M Battery Coastal Resiliency Project

Hilltip Introduces IceStriker Combi Spreader With 8-Cubic-Foot Capacity