Title
Construct an addition, create a new entry plaza, & renovate the Thelma Boltin Center (B)
Petition HP-21-00021. Jason Jensen & Sarah Lyons, Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc., agent for the City of Gainesville, owner. Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an addition, add a new entry plaza, and renovate the Thelma Boltin Center. Located at 516 NE 2nd Avenue. This building is a contributing structure to the Northeast Residential Historic District.
Project Description
The Thelma Boltin Center is a recreation center that was built in 1943 according to the Florida Master Site File and is located within the Northeast Residential Historic District. The building is not within the district time frame (1880s through 1920s) according to the site file, but it represents a very important building in the later history of the district. Some Moderne buildings such as the recreation center are scattered throughout the district. The building was originally known as the “Service Center,” one of several Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in Gainesville. It was designed to house entertainment programs for servicemen stationed at Camp Blanding and nearby military bases. The center was officially opened in 1943. Miss Thelma Boltin was the City’s first director of the Recreation Center.
The original building was designed with clean, simple, utilitarian details typical of the Moderne or International style and consistent with its governmental purpose. The City Commission at the time wanted the building designed to reflect the future use as a community center and since the property was City-owned, the plans had to accommodate local civic and social organizational needs. The building is a two-wing unit with a large auditorium, social room, small meeting room, and a mezzanine. The original building has only been altered with the addition of a handicap ramp on the southwest entrance side of the building. The building is a painted brick masonry building with a concrete slab foundation, an asphalt shingle gable roof on the west wing with cornice returns, and a flat-top roof on the east wing. There are two chimneys, one red brick masonry on the rear facade of the west wing and one interior chimney on the south facade of the east wing. Windows are wood and include two 4 over 4s on the north rear side. The west facade has 6 over 6, double hung sash windows, each with a nine light window above it. The same symmetrical pattern is found on the south facade. The lower east wing is the main entrance facing southeast, with a portico covering the entrance which has glass block sidelights. A glass block opening is centered over the entry porch. The rear section of the east wing has a double flat roof. The lower section has both 6 over 6 and 4 over 4 windows.
The project includes the renovation of the existing center’s main hall and stage, restrooms, and the conversion of smaller offices to a multipurpose room. New interior flooring, paint, wall layout and ceilings would be part of the renovation. An addition of 1,785 square feet (total) would be added in the northeast corner of the building to create a green room, storage, and mechanical spaces. A new entry plaza will redirect the pedestrian traffic to the front door from the corner of NE 5th Street and NE 2nd Avenue to be center on NE 2nd Avenue.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the application with the following conditions:
1. The HPB discuss the appropriate window configuration for the addition.
2. Provide information sheets for the proposed windows and roofing material.
3. Notify staff of any changes during construction.