Nine buildings that represent the last remnants of downtown’s old retail Main Street are set to be torn down following approval Thursday by the Downtown Design Review Committee of plans for a 27-story tower and two parking garages.

The project, 499 W Sheridan, is set to be the first multitenant office development downtown since the opening of Leadership Square 30 years ago. The tower’s anchor tenant will be Devon Energy, which is back to occupying multiple buildings after better than expected growth in 2014.

Debate on the project lasted almost three hours and focused on three issues of contention: parking and traffic, whether the buildings to be demolished are historic and worth saving, and whether the development qualifies as good urban design.

Though a majority of the committee expressed concern about the project and demolitions, only one member, Chairwoman Betsy Brunsteter, voted against demolition of the Union Bus Station as recommended by city planners. No majority opinion existed on any of the challenges posed to the project.