LEWISTON – A city historic board won’t stand in the way of changes to the former St. Dominic Regional High School, making the city’s takeover of the property one step closer.

After a May 12 tour, Lewiston’s Historic Preservation Review Board has voted to grant a permit allowing complete demolition of the 83-year-old building.

“This was a very difficult decision for the board,” said chair William Clifford in a written statement.

The building has been a prominent feature in downtown Lewiston for many years, he wrote. Rain and weather damage have made it nearly beyond saving.

“The tour of the building spoke volumes as to the amount of damage (it) has sustained,” he said.

The City Council is considering purchasing the property and is awaiting cost estimates for renovating the building or tearing it down before making a final decision.

The city has been trying to reuse the downtown building since the school moved to Auburn in 2001. City officials hoped to convert the building into affordable housing for the elderly, but those plans fell through last fall.