Washington’s Historic Preservation Commission, during its meeting Wednesday, will consider a request to make changes to the former Bank of America building, which is being converted into a micro-distillery, restaurant and boutique hotel.

The building is owned by The Hackney Distillery LLC. The application seeking a certificate of appropriateness to make the changes was signed by Nick Sanders, a principal of The Hackney Distillery LLC.

The requested changes include the following:

• restore the original entryway, where the existing ATM is located;
• replace the existing fire escape with a new fire escape on the rear elevation of the building;
• construct a fire sprinkler room with a concrete ramp on the rear elevation.

The commission’s guidelines specifically address windows and doors, storefronts, additions and safety and accessibility. During its deliberations on the request, the commission must apply the guidelines before it makes a decision regarding the requested changes.

The commission could approve the request, approve the request with conditions or deny the request.

Several grants are being used to help pay for converting the historic building. Among them is  $200,000 grant from the Main Street Solutions Fund, an economic-development program within the N.C. Department of Commerce. It will be used to assist The Hackney Distillery LLC in the first phase of rehabilitating the former bank building. A future second phase, not funded by this grant, will help to construct 14 boutique hotel rooms on the second and third floors, according to project documents.

A $10,000 Smart Communities ElectriCities Economic Development grant is being combined with the $200,000 grant to help facilitate the conversion. Washington plans to use another $10,000 grant from the N.C. Commerce Department as the local match required by the Smart Communities grant contract.

The Historic Preservation Commission meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 102 E. Second St.