The airport long-term parking lot is littered with debris after a windstorm. (Courtesy: FAA)

Unalaska’s historic preservation commission met for the first time in six years to weigh in on a landmark in disrepair.

On Thursday, the commission -- now made up of planning board members and city staff -- voted in favor of a plan to demolish the torpedo storage facility near the airport.

Technically, it’s part of the National Historic Landmark at Fort Mears. But as the World War II-era building sheds debris, it's also gotten a reputation as a public hazard.

The state can't remove it without permission from the federal government. In turn, the Federal Aviation Administration is required to consult tribal and preservation groups because of the building's historic character. 

"It’s not a safe place for anybody to be," Jamie Sunderland told the historic preservation commission Thursday night.

As Unalaska's public safety director, Sunderland wouldn’t usually have a vote on the board. But he did on Thursday in his capacity as acting city manager. (Chris Hladick and assistant city manager Patrick Jordan were traveling.)

Sunderland said that the airport's long-term parking lot is closed indefinitely because of concerns about debris breaking off the torpedo building. 

It already damaged several cars this year -- including one owned by preservation commissioner Steven Gregory.

“I walked through the building about ten days ago and you can walk right through the fence," Gregory said. "It needs to go for sure. There’s no bringing that thing back. However, I did notice that some of the shelves are interesting and kind of intact."

Gregory said that the government should preserve anything of historic significance from the site before it's cleared out. That way, the items could be put on public display.

Gregory's suggestion made it into the commission’s final statement to the FAA. The language passed 5-0. 

The FAA will accept public comments on the torpedo building through September 30. To submit a comment, contact Leslie Grey at leslie.grey@faa.gov or (907) 271-5453.