(rshsdepot) Martinsburg, WV

["Jim Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

=46rom Railway Preservation news...

Martinsburg's PRR Depot Preserved Through Adaptive Reuse

KCAD Properties, LLC is in the final stages of completing the renovations=
 of
the Cumberland Valley Railroad Depot in Martinsburg, WV. This renovation =
has
transformed this historic structure from a virtual ruin to a restored off=
ice
for a high technology operation. KCAD Properties and Alpha Associates,
Incorporated joined forces in 2000 to purchase the property for use as Al=
pha
Associates, Inc.'s Eastern Regional Office. ALPHA, established in 1969, i=
s
an Architectural, Engineering, and Surveying Firm headquartered in
Morgantown. The Eastern Regional Office has been operating in Martinsburg
since 1995. The restored CVRR depot provides ALPHA with quality space and
room to grow while demonstrating the firm's skills in adaptive reuse of
historic buildings. =93Alpha Associates, Incorporated is excited to be op=
ening
this example of historic renovation for our operation in the Eastern
Panhandle. We believe that this is not only a boost for ALPHA but also a
significant commitment to the continuing revitalization of Martinsburg=92=
s
Historic areas,.=94 notes ALPHA=92s President Rick Colebank.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad Depot was originally built in 1889 to serv=
e
the railroad's expanded freight and passenger service to Winchester, VA. =
In
1919, the CVRR became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad System. Since its
construction, the depot has been one of Martinsburg=92s architectural
treasures. The Richardsonian shingle style utilizes Romanesque brick arch=
es.
The first level is an English running bond brick masonry with a projectin=
g
bay on the trackside fa=E7ade. Arched segmental five part windows grace w=
hat
was once the passenger lobby and ticket office. The second level is of wo=
od
frame construction skinned in the shingle style so popular in the late 18=
80=92
s. The windows are multi-mullioned with rectangular double hung sash.

The unique style of the structure was especially intriguing to ALPHA=92s
Architectural staff. KCAD=92s goal in purchasing the property was two fol=
d.
The main priority in historical restoration of any building is to maintai=
n
the historical accuracy and integrity of the basic stricture. Working
closely with the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, KCAD
followed the Secretary of the Interior=92s Standards for Rehabilitation f=
or
Historic Buildings. Working with in the framework of the basic structure,
special consideration was given to the use of new technology inside the
building and how that would tie in with the old historical style of the
exterior. This renovated building provides ALPHA with high-speed Internet
access, state of the art computer networking, and cutting edge technology
for communication. Combining history with technology to develop an effici=
ent
office space, posed certain challenges. The integration of technology wit=
h
history requires significant coordination between all disciplines. The
interior of this building was entirely gutted and reconstructed which mad=
e
the integration of technology somewhat easier.

Structural stability is always an issue in historical renovation projects=
=2E
ALPHA=92s in-house structural engineers completed a full scale evaluation=
 of
the existing structure prior to the design phase of the project and
discovered significant structural problems in the second floor. An interi=
or
central bearing wall had been previously removed and support had to be
replaced. There is also the issue of new building code requirements to be
met. This affected the design of the structure for the second floor, as t=
he
new floor loading requirements were higher than the original design.
Thorough analysis provided the basis for the structural designs that were
developed to meet these requirements.

An important part of any construction project is the selection of a good
quality contractor. Minghini's General Contractors, Inc. of Martinsburg w=
as
the contractor for the project. Minghini=92s experience and dedication to
detail has provided KCAD with a quality product that will serve ALPHA=92s
needs for many years.

During the design phases of this project, ALPHA=92s staff of interior
designers, landscape designers and site engineers paid special attention =
to
the Standards that were set forth by the Division of Culture and History.
ALPHA=92s Landscape Designer Juanita Salisbury said =93To keep the histor=
ical
nature of the railway station, I designed a planting scheme that would no=
t
obscure the building in anyway. Plants chosen for around the building are
mainly low-growing evergreens. In the back of the building, native Redbud
and evergreen trees and other native shrubs were chosen for the parking
area.=94 KCAD and ALPHA are very proud of the Depot. The construction pha=
se is
almost complete and the Open House celebrating the Eastern Regional Offic=
e
will be held in September.

(Bobbie White, Alpha Associates, Inc Press Release)

------------------------------

End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #139
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