By Tina Alvey
LEWISBURG — The city’s historic landmarks commission unanimously endorsed concepts for two projects involving government agencies Monday evening.
Mayor John Manchester presented preliminary plans for the closure of the northern end of Stratton Alley, which is beside city hall.
The mayor said the intention is to construct public restrooms and a “little parkscape” that would incorporate both the alleyway and an existing plaza at the Washington Street entrance to City National Bank.
The city is negotiating with the bank to expand the proposed green area to encompass two of City National’s parking spaces.
The preliminary plans show a bench-lined gazebo at the center of the parkscape, along with the possibility of a trio of small picnic tables to one side.
Restrooms are located to the rear of the site.
HLC member Carol Olson had earlier in the day told the mayor she has safety concerns about the placement of the restrooms, which the plans indicate will be positioned facing the eastern wall of city hall well away from Washington Street.
“Some minor modifications are certainly within the realm of possibility,” Manchester advised the HLC. “This is a preliminary draft.”
The southern end of Stratton Alley will remain open, as will a private alley that intersects Stratton behind city hall, the mayor said.
Because the site is within the city’s historic district, the State Historic Preservation Office must also sign off on the project. The HLC voted to send a letter of endorsement to the SHPO.
The Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau also came away from Monday’s meeting with a concept endorsement.
The agency is on the verge of putting to bid the renovation of the new CVB headquarters on Washington Street. Housed in the former Yarid’s department store, the visitors center will include a welcome center on the ground floor and offices for both CVB and chamber of commerce staffers on the second level, according to Kara Dense, the CVB’s executive director.
Built in 1973, the brick structure needs a new roof and windows, Dense said. The CVB will also replace the heating and air conditioning system, exterior awnings and lights.
Project architect Todd Boggess said an architectural grade slate-lined shingle is under consideration for the roof replacement, something HLC members liked.
His mention of wooden window frames clad in aluminum was not as favorably received.
Olson noted the HLC generally prefers true wood window frames with only paint to protect them from the elements.
She sought input from audience member Tag Galyean, a renowned architect and designer who calls Lewisburg home.
Galyean said he believes as long as the sight line is preserved, meaning that components used on the street level are historically sound, aluminum-clad window frames on upper floors should be acceptable.
The plans do not provide for tour bus parking immediately adjacent to the visitors center, something Dense said does not pose a problem.
“I worked (in a similar capacity) in Gatlinburg (Tenn.), and there is no bus parking in Gatlinburg,” she noted. “It was never a problem.”
Dense said the CVB will work with the mayor and the city’s businesses and churches to come up with places to direct bus drivers to park after they deposit their passengers at the welcome center.
The CVB’s target move-in time frame is late May.
