City of Gainesville - File #: 160336.

• File #: 160336.
• Version: 1
• Type: Petition
• Status: To Be Introduced
• File created: 8/29/2016
• In control: Historic Preservation Board
• On agenda: 9/6/2016
• Title: New Exterior Stair, ADA Accessible Ramp, Handrail and Guardrail at Thomas Center Building B Entry. Removal of Existing, Non-Historic Stair And Railings. Replacement of Two Non-Historic, Metal Fire Doors at the Western Breezeway with Paneled, Glass and Metal Doors to Match Existing Main Lobby Doors on Building B (B) Petition HP-16-79. City of Gainesville, owner. New exterior stair, ADA accessible ramp, handrail and guardrail at Thomas Center Building B entry. Removal of existing, non-historic stair and railings. Replacement of two non-historic, metal fire doors at the western breezeway with paneled, glass and metal doors to match existing main lobby doors on Building B. Located at NE 6th Avenue. This building is contributing to the Northeast Residential Historic District.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/6/2016	1	Historic Preservation Board

Title
New Exterior Stair, ADA Accessible Ramp, Handrail and Guardrail at Thomas Center Building B Entry. Removal of Existing, Non-Historic Stair And Railings. Replacement of Two Non-Historic, Metal Fire Doors at the Western Breezeway with Paneled, Glass and Metal Doors to Match Existing Main Lobby Doors on Building B (B)

Petition HP-16-79. City of Gainesville, owner. New exterior stair, ADA accessible ramp, handrail and guardrail at Thomas Center Building B entry. Removal of existing, non-historic stair and railings. Replacement of two non-historic, metal fire doors at the western breezeway with paneled, glass and metal doors to match existing main lobby doors on Building B. Located at NE 6th Avenue. This building is contributing to the Northeast Residential Historic District.

Explanation
The property is located at 306 NE 6th Avenue and is zoned PS (Public Services). The parcel (12588-000-000) is approximately 6 acres in size and is lo acated in the Northeast Residential Historic District. This project is part of the City’s “Citizen-Centered Gainesville” initiative and is the first phrase of a larger project to make Thomas Center B more welcoming and accessible to both the public and city government users. Whereas Building A and the gardens are the “community icon” of the Thomas Center, Building B is disconnected from the larger campus, with the existing entry located at the original “rear” of the building, a separate disability entry between Buildings A and B and no straightforward access to the gardens or Building A. The construction of this new stair and ramp and the replacement of the existing fire doors will be the first step in making Building B a welcoming, well-connected hub, with universal access and public use for the city as well as citizens.

The existing ramp was constructed between Buildings A and B in the 1970s and does not contribute to the historic significance of the complex. The existing ramp is too steep to meet current accessibility...