New London — The city’s Historic District Commission again temporarily has blocked downtown property owner William Cornish from demolishing one of his Bank Street buildings.

Wednesday’s vote to enact a 180-day delay on demolition plans for 116 Bank St. comes a month after the commission did the same for his plans at the adjoining property at 130 Bank St.

The vote appeared to be no surprise for Cornish, who has so far bucked efforts by historic preservationists to accept alternative plans to demolition.

“I feel like the two buildings should come down. They’re my buildings,” Cornish said. “This is still America, isn’t it?”

The buildings are historical, culturally significant and considered contributing resources to the downtown’s historic district, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, argued New London Landmarks Executive Director Laura Natusch.

New London Landmarks has collected more than 1,100 signatures in opposition to the demolitions and expects to take its case to the state’s Historic Preservation Council this summer. The council could decide to get the attorney general’s office involved and permanently block the demolition.

Natusch said 116 Bank St. was built between 1786 and 1790 and originally was owned by a baker who had served soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Brad Shide, a researcher for the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, said Cornish will have to make a case to the state that he has considered alternatives to demolition. The buildings represent an irreplaceable part of the historic downtown, he said.

“The goal is to try and persuade him to see the light. I don’t know how far we’ll get with this guy,” Shide said.

Pam Fisk, co-owner of the Coastal Cottage Bed & Breakfast, told Cornish he had a chance to “be a hero” by saving the buildings but also was critical of Cornish’s work at other locations downtown.

“You have the best buildings on Bank Street,” she said. “We all see the potential for this town. God bless you, do what’s right and fix your buildings.”

Marcus Fisk said the committee should consider an architectural review panel and measures “to put some real teeth into our historic preservation ordinances.”

Also speaking up against the planned demolitions at Wednesday's meeting was Ric Waterhouse, owner of Waterhouse Salon at 136 Bank St. and New London Ink owner Jared Schroeder, who leases space from Cornish at 116 Bank St.

Commission member Mary Beth Baker told Cornish that the 180-day delay was supposed to be breathing room to look at alternatives. She also asked whether he had considered sites on Bank Street with less historic significance.

Cornish said he already has decided that he would use the two properties together and construct a four-story building similar to the Bacon Building, another historic property he owns at 130 State St. He said there are 17 apartments and three storefronts in the Bacon Building.

Shide said the state’s Historic Preservation Council meets in July when he expects the two sides to present testimony for and against the demolitions.

g.smith@theday.com