Rendering by Meyers + Associates Architecture.

The Day Companies bought the three historic and long-vacant buildings at 72-84 N. High St. in 2014. The local developer was awarded state historic tax credits to renovate the buildings in 2015, and started work on the project soon after.

That work included demolishing the small two-story building at 90 N. High St., and dismantling the large facade of the former Madison’s department store building at 72 N. High St.

An item on the Downtown Commission agenda this month confirmed that the project is moving forward, despite the lack of visible exterior progress on the buildings and the time that has passed since work first began.

Chris Meyers, of Meyers + Associates Architecture, and Ricky Day of the Day Companies presented a new plan for the facade of the Madison building to the commission on Tuesday.

Meyers explained that, in the process of removing the three-story high facade from the building, the team discovered a “really significant structural condition on the west elevation.” They decided that the original plan for the front of the building – which had called for windows that would match the size of those on the upper floors – would not work. The new plan calls for steel support beams and larger windows, which will also allow for more natural light to enter the building.

The commission was receptive to the changes but asked for more detailed plans – the item was tabled so it can be brought back for a vote of approval at a future meeting.

Once fully completed, the renovated buildings will contain over 100,000 square feet of office, retail and residential space. A plan to potentially add a 12-story hotel building and parking garage on the surface parking lot next door was floated in 2015 but has not been brought before the commission for a formal review.