The dockmaster’s office on the Washington waterfront will be getting a new storage shed.

During its meeting Tuesday, the Washington Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for the city to build the 12-foot-by-26-foot structure next to the dockmaster’s office, which replicates the former Pamlico Point Light. The shed would be used to store the golf cart used by the city’s dock attendants, kayaks, canoes and other equipment, according to John Rodman, the city’s director of community and cultural resources, and City Manager Bobby Roberson. The shed’s appearance would blend with the dockmaster’s office, Rodman said.

“We certainly want to remove that,” Rodman said about the existing shed.

The officials and board member discussed the type of door that shed might have. Board member William Kenner said he prefers barn-style doors to a roll-up door, which he acknowledged would likely be more convenient for the dock attendants.

Dee Congleton expressed concern about locating the shed next to the dockmaster’s office, saying it would be a distraction. She suggested locating the shed on city property at the south end of the Washington Civic Center and just east of the caboose that houses the Washington Underground Railroad Museum.

The shed will use gray siding and a red hip roof that matches the lighthouse in style and color, according to Rodman.

In other business, Emily Rebert, community development planner for the city, told the commission the city’s effort to prevent historic structures from deteriorating through enforcement of its demolition-by-neglect ordinance is producing desired results. Currently, the city is concentrating on properties it previously placed on its list of structures that need attention. New properties will be added to the list in 2017.

The demolition-by-neglect ordinance is used by the city to keep historically and/or architecturally significant properties from deteriorating to the point they cannot be saved by rehabilitation measures.

Rebert also told the commission that some property owners might face financial hardship in fixing up their houses. The commission might want to explore ways to help such people, she said.