Safety and Accessibility Improvement Project
Our venerable “complex” has significant physical access problems. Guests who are unable to traverse stairs have roughly a 1/4 mile journey from the main parking lot to the Lowry Activity Center, with half of that being outdoors. Patrons cross the threshold into our complex more than 100,000 times each year, and thousands of those are patrons with mobility issues requiring them to use wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. We can do better than this!
Over the past three years two architect organizations, SparksReed Architects and Tom Wallace of Wallace Engineering, visited and studied the Stillwater Community Center complex under the guidance of the Stillwater Community Center Foundation. Both revealed on critical piece of information--that the structure is robust and probably one of sturdiest buildings in the City. Wow! To us it sounds like that if we take care of this gem it can serve our community for centuries.
Sadly this gem has major flaws when it comes to accessibility which is a fairly common problem with buildings built before the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
To address this, in the Spring of 2019 we asked a team of OSU seniors, who were mentored by faculty from the Architecture, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering departments, to design a new south entrance off the main parking lot. That April they presented their design to the Stillwater City Council, who subsequently indicated their support for the concept.
So what does the proposed concept look like?
The concept adds a robust ramp system and improved stairs access into the main complex from that main parking lot. For the first time ever, it would connect the main complex with the Dining & Event Hall with ADA compliant ramps. This seemingly minor modification also enables operations staff to reduce the journey for “rolled equipment” by up to ¼ mile. Yes, you read that right, ¼ mile! Pushing “rolled” equipment such as table and chair racks from the Lowry Activity Center to the Dining and Event Hall is a journey almost all the way around the city block.
The design team suggested minor modifications to the parking lot which will dramatically improve traffic flow and enable passenger drop off at the entrance by multiple vehicles simultaneously.
Sadly this gem has major flaws when it comes to accessibility which is a fairly common problem with buildings built before the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
To address this, in the Spring of 2019 we asked a team of OSU seniors, who were mentored by faculty from the Architecture, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering departments, to design a new south entrance off the main parking lot. That April they presented their design to the Stillwater City Council, who subsequently indicated their support for the concept.
So what does the proposed concept look like?
The concept adds a robust ramp system and improved stairs access into the main complex from that main parking lot. For the first time ever, it would connect the main complex with the Dining & Event Hall with ADA compliant ramps. This seemingly minor modification also enables operations staff to reduce the journey for “rolled equipment” by up to ¼ mile. Yes, you read that right, ¼ mile! Pushing “rolled” equipment such as table and chair racks from the Lowry Activity Center to the Dining and Event Hall is a journey almost all the way around the city block.
The design team suggested minor modifications to the parking lot which will dramatically improve traffic flow and enable passenger drop off at the entrance by multiple vehicles simultaneously.
Early in 2020 we re-reviewed and refreshed the concept with the help of the City of Stillwater operations and utilities staff. The budgetary cost estimate for the project was updated. It was determined that the City of Stillwater does have the capacity to do all of the utilities work and the minor parking lot modifications required.
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On the right is a conceptual depiction of the ramp and stair system envisioned by the student team.
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Main Hallway and Lobby Upgrade
- These areas need new floors, new ceilings, and painting.
- The roof over the Lobby has need for repair to stop leaks.
- There is space in both the lobby and hallway to install "Legacy" Showcases.
We do have a set of Projects on the Back Burner
In any building of this size, age, and robustness there are always those areas that need updates but keep slipping down on the list of priorities.