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 code requirements. The existing stairs were added onto the west façade of Building B in the 1970s in order to provide a main entry to the building’s first floor and basement level. The existing ramps will remain intact during this phase of construction. The existing stairs and stucco piers will be removed from the front of the Building B entry. The landing and basement level entry will remain.
The project proposes to install a new exterior stair, ADA accessible ramp, handrails and guardrails. Proposed materials will match the existing. The two existing fire doors at the west breezeway of the Turtle Courtyard are non-historic, solid metal doors with no glazing or “vision lites” in them. The project proposes to replace the existing doors with new metal fire doors that have multi-pane “vision lites.” The doors will match the existing doors to the lobby entries at Building B and will have the added benefit of providing visibility from inside the stair wells out to the breezeway.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of Petition HP-16-79.