Borough Zoners Approve Edmond Town Hall Elevator

By Andrew Gorosko

After reviewing plans to improve handicapped accessibility at town hall, the Borough Zoning Commission has approved the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers’ project to build a new elevator, stairway and walkways on the north side of the building.

The borough zoners approved the project after discussing the application on February 11.

The town hall managers’ project is intended to bring the public building at 45 Main Street into compliance with the public access provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Architect Alan Black, who designed the project, told the borough zoners that the town hall managers would cooperate with the Newtown Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Company to ensure that fire truck access  is available at the Hook and Ladder firehouse throughout the construction project.

The firehouse shares a common heavily used parking area with the town hall, an arrangement under which fire trucks and the general public use common enter-only and exit-only driveways at the 45 Main Street site.

In approving the elevator project, the borough zoners specified that there be no net decrease in the number parking spaces in the town hall parking lot as a result of the construction project.

When the adjacent Newtown Savings Bank demolishes the former Newtown Congregational Church House and replaces it with a new bank office building, the bank plans to create an accessway between its parking lot and the town hall parking to allow Hook and Ladder fire trucks an alternative means of exit for fire calls. The Borough Zoning Commission expects that creating that accessway will result in the loss of several parking spaces in the town hall parking lot.

The brick-clad elevator shaft will be built on the northern side wall of town hall. It will rise to a height of 451/2  feet above grade, matching the height of the building’s parapets. The elevator will stop on four levels, including one level below grade. The addition will not be visible from Main Street. The new elevator will replace an existing small, antiquated elevator which is about 75 years old.

Traditional building materials such as brick, mortar, and slate shingles will be used in construction to match the architecture of the existing structure, according to Mr Black. Doors and windows also will be matched.

Two dormers on town hall that currently face the west will be repositioned on the roof atop the elevator shaft and face the north. 

Exterior walkways and stairs will have materials matching those now in use on the plaza in front of town hall. One of the walkways will be built adjacent to the recently restored town hall terrace. A temporary ramp will be provided at the front of the building while construction is underway. Four new handicapped parking spaces will be provided on the north side of the building, where there is now standard-sized parking, according to Mr Black. A new emergency generator for the building would be located in the town hall parking lot.

The project will include restoration work, including masonry repointing, the replacement of spalled brickwork, and stone masonry repairs.

“It is anticipated that the proposed construction will have little impact on the historic and architectural integrity of the Edmond Town Hall,” according to Mr Black.

The town hall managers expect to soon put the project out to bid. Mr Black declined to disclose projected costs for the construction. Grant funding will be used toward the project. Construction work is expected to take six months.