Items Tagged ‘mill’
Berkeley County Judicial Center
Project Name:
Berkeley County Judicial CenterLocation:
Martinsburg, West Virginia, USACompletion Date:
December 2006Original Use(s):
woolen mill, outlet mall, community and technical collegeNew Use(s):
courthouseProject Description:
History
This historic complex in downtown Martinsburg, West Virginia, has gone through numerous adaptations. Originally built in phases from 1917 to 1927, the U-shaped structure was constructed of brick and heavy timber and first served as a woolen mill. After the mill was shut down, it was converted into an outlet mall in the 1980s as a shopping destination for the local community. The outlet mall however did not succeed and the complex again went through another rebirth as a community and technical college.[1]
(Re)Developer
The Berkeley County Commission serves as the governmental agency for Berkeley County, West Virginia.
AECOM provides professional technical and management support services in: architecture, building engineering, design and planning, economics, energy, environment, government, program management, transportation, and water. It has offices around the world.[2]
Brechbill and Helman Construction Company, Inc. has served the construction industry for over 40 years working in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.[3]
Outcome
The abandoned Blue Ridge Outlet Mall complex in downtown Martinsburg was adapted by AECOM in order to consolidate the judicial operations of Berkeley County. Its location in downtown meant the adaptation needed to respect the original structure as well as the scale of the surrounding area.
The industrial history is maintained through the original brick exterior walls while a new protruding glass entrance was incorporated to fill in the U-shape and make for a larger usable floor plate. A three-story light well was added to bring natural light in through the building as well as establish a grand public space.
In addition to revitalizing the abandoned building, the renovation also allows for future growth and expansion of the facility at the location. “The success of this project has been fully realized in witnessing the revitalization that has occurred in the surrounding community.”[4]
[1]AECOM
[2]AECOM
[3]Brechbill and Helman
[4]AECOM
Images courtesy of Erik Svensson and AECOM.
Spring Target For Building At Silk Mill
Project Name:
Spring Target For Building At Silk MillLocation:
Completion Date:
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Project Description:
After two years of planning since the city’s approval for the project, construction is slated to begin this spring to convert the old A.H. Rice Mill in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Rees-Larkin Development of Boston has already received some funding through state and federal historic tax credits, but the biggest hurdle has been to get the award of $8.1 million in affordable housing tax credits from the commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Making up a large portion of the projected $13 redevelopment costs, this funding has been integral to start the process. The developer is certain that they will receive the funding which will be announcing later this year.
The old silk mill, vacant for five years, will be adapted into 45 units of affordable housing as the new Rice Silk Mill Apartments. The project will help to provide much-needed affordable housing within the community as well as encourage further revitalization of the Morningside neighborhood where it is located. A majority of the mill will be utilized in the redevelopment, though a small, non-historic structures will be taken down to allow for the creation of a courtyard and green space.
Georgetown Green Plans To Buy The G&B Mill Site
Project Name:
Georgetown Green Plans To Buy The G&B Mill SiteLocation:
Completion Date:
Original Use(s):
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The outlook appears promising for the redevelopment of the former Gilbert & Bennett wire mill now that a new redeveloper has agreed to purchase the site. Georgetown Green plans to close on the purchase from Georgetown Land Development Company in June 2010. Callen Cooper, CEO of Georgetown Green, sees the G&B mill as the perfect combination for transit-oriented development, green and clean technology, and affordable and senior housing. The 2004 master plan for the site, born out of a collaboration between the town, neighboring towns, state and federal officials, will continue to be honored under the new owners. The plan calls for adapting the 55-acre site for housing, office, retail, performing arts space, offices for the Weir Farm Historic Site, as well as a new railroad station. Housing will include single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, affordable and senior housing. While adaptive reuse will be a focal point of the project, it will be used only where feasible.
More details about the project are available here.