Handrails Installation at Blair House Complex Entrance Stairs

704 Jackson Place, NW: Proposed addition of secondary, code-compliant handrails at entrance stair

Constructed in 1861 and purchased by the U.S. Government in 1950, the rowhouse at 704 Jackson Place, NW was incorporated into the President's Guest House in 1969. The rowhouse is adjacent to (north of) the corner rowhouse at Jackson Place and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The Blair House Complex is occupied by the U.S. Department of State and serves our nation’s diplomatic activities. The entrance, which faces Jackson Place and Lafayette Square, is the primary entry for Blair House public events, such as the annual holiday gatherings, hosted by the U.S. Department of State.

The brownstone stair assembly was installed in the late 1980's, replicating the original, which was removed due to its severe deterioration. A safety concern has been noted, as the brownstone railings’ width and height do not afford a safe means of grabbing and holding should a person entering or exiting the building lose balance, particularly when the steps are wet. Further, the ambient lighting on Jackson Place is low, adding to the safety concern of those using the stairs.

GSA proposes adding a pair of secondary, ABA Standards code-compliant handrails, following the example of those added at public historic building entrances throughout the District of Columbia. The simple railings are designed to acknowledge their additive, secondary status, while being compatible with the brownstone railings.

The proposed handrails have as small a diameter top rail as allowable to meet code (1 ½ inches), the smallest cross section picket structurally feasible, (1 1/8 inches), and the minimum structurally acceptable number of pickets to support the top rail. In addition, the pickets are centered on the existing balusters to obscure them during a pedestrian’s approach along the Jackson Place sidewalk.

To address the ambient low lighting level and improve visitor safety during evening events at Blair House without affecting the harmony of Jackson Place, the top rails would incorporate on their undersides inset U channels to run LED lighting to directly illuminate the stair treads without casting wider illumination that would alter the quiet nighttime appearance of 704 Jackson Place in the context of the other rowhouses and of Lafayette Square. The LED lighting would be manually switched on and off by Blair House staff and employed only when the entrance was in use for evening events.

To achieve a compatible yet quiet finish for a secondary handrail that must also be appropriate to the age and architectural significance of the rowhouse and precinct, GSA has selected a bronze finish, blackened to subdue the sheen and have a soft, dappled surface effect.

While accepting the reasons and requirements for the proposed code-compliant railings, GSA would install them to be reversible per the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The core drill sections required to set the pickets in the treads would be labeled and stored on site. Should 704's entrance cease to be used as it is today, the railings could be removed and the core drill sections reset with a matching Jahn brownstone grout.

The proposed addition of the secondary handrails is a visually and structurally minimal intervention that updates the entrance stairs to conform to current code requirements. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION WHITE HOUSE SERVICE CENTER

HUANG'S, INC. 5601N General Washington Dr. Alexandria, VA 22312 7 0 4 J A C K S O N P L A C E SUMMER CONSULTANTS I N C O R P O R A T E D LAFAYETTE SQUARE | WASHINGTON DC 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 | McLean, VA 22102 (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com

ADDITION OF SUPPLEMENTAL CODE COMPLIANT COMPLIANT RAILINGS GRAPHIC SCALE A/E CON. NO. A/E TASK NO. CONS. CONTR.GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 CONS. WORK PRIME A/E SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. SUB A/E CONSTR. CON. GAGHAN/HUANG JV NAME SA 51 COMPLEX STREET CITY/ST./ZIP WASHINGTON DC 20210 BUILDING NO. DC0042ZZ SUBMISSION TO THE national capital planning commission - preliminary & FINAL REVIEW - GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION OTHER BUILDING NOs. FACILITY CODE PROJECT INVESTMENT TIMELINE DEFICIENCY TITLE CONSTRUCTION UPGRADES - EAST BLDG PROJECT 07 JUNE 2019 DESCRIPTION PROJECT NO. RDC-03715 GSA PM EDMOND BABINEAU SUBMISSION 100% / AGENCY SUB. DATE 18 MAY 2019 DRAWING TITLE FILE NAME FLOOR NO. DRAWN BY DATE DRAFTED: CHECKED BY SHEET SIZE: 24 X 36

DRAWING NO. DISCIPLINE SHEET TYPE SEQUENCE

HUANG'S, INC. 5601N General Washington Dr. Alexandria, VA 22312 SUMMER CONSULTANTS I N C O R P O R A T E D 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 | McLean, VA 22102 (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com

JACKSON PLACE LOOKiNG NORtH BALUStER DEtAiL

JACKSON PLACE EASt ELEvAtiON GRAPHIC SCALE A/E CON. NO. A/E TASK NO. CONS. CONTR.GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 CONS. WORK PRIME A/E SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. SUB A/E CONSTR. CON. GAGHAN/HUANG JV NAME SA 51 COMPLEX STREET CITY/ST./ZIP WASHINGTON DC 20210 BUILDING NO. DC0042ZZ OTHER BUILDING NOs. FACILITY CODE PROJECT NEW ABA COMPLIANT HANDRAILS TITLE 704 JACKSON PLACE PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROJECT NO. RDC-03715 GSA PM EDMOND BABINEAU SUBMISSION 100% / AGENCY SUB. DATE 18 MAY 2019 DRAWING TITLE FILE NAME 1888 SANBORN, PLAtE 30 APPROACH fROm SOUtH APPROACH fROm NORtH FLOOR NO. DRAWN BY DATE DRAFTED: CHECKED BY SHEET SIZE: 24 X 36

DRAWING NO. DISCIPLINE SHEET TYPE SEQUENCE

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) - PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT - FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Do not remove this notice. Properly destroy documents when no longer needed. eXistinG BallustRaDe & PRoPoseD RailinG 3"= 1'-0" 0 4'-2 3/8" 2'-9 7/16" [1280] [849] 1'-11 3/8" [594] 3 1/8" 1' [79] [51] 2" 1 1/8" [29] 1 1/2" [38] 3'-0" [914] 11'-1 7/16" [3390] BROWNSTONE BALUSTER CENTERED ON EXTANT 1 1/8" SQ. SOLID S.S. PICKET

3/4" Plan [19] 1 1/8" BLACKENED BRONZE PICKET

R2'-0 3/16" [R615] 1 1/2" BLACKENED BRONZE HAND RAIL south elevation EQUAL DEPTH OF ONE TREAD MINIMUM LINE OF EXTENSION

C l SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) - PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Do not remove this notice. Properly destroy documents when no longer needed. 1 1/2" DIA. BLACKENED BRONZE east elevation C l Rail enD & seCtion PiCKet esCutCheon ESCUTCHEON 3 1/8" SQUARE SOLID 1 1/2" DIA. SECTION, SOLID LED LIGHT STRIP U-SECTION 11/8" SQ. SOLID PICKET 3,500 PSI CONCRETE BRICK SIDEWALK. SET IN ANCHOR THROUGH EXTANT COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TO MATCH COLOR AND SET WITH JAHN MORTAR ROUND CORE DRILL 2" DIA BROWNSTONE TREADS ANCHOR THROUGH EXTANT 0 1" = 0 1" = 1'' 1''

GRAPHIC SCALE DRAWING NO. CHECKED BY DRAWN BY FLOOR NO. FILE NAME DRAWING TITLE SUB. DATE SUBMISSION GSA PM PROJECT NO. DESCRIPTION PROJECT TITLE PROJECT FACILITY CODE BUILDING NOs. OTHER BUILDING NO. CITY/ST./ZIP STREET NAME CONSTR. CON. SUB A/E PRIME A/E CONS. WORK CONS. CONTR. A/E TASK NO. A/E CON. NO. 1"= 1'-0" 0 5601N General Washington Dr. H 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 McLean, VA 22102 SUMMER CONSULTANTS I N C O R P A T E D (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com UANG'S, Alexandria, VA 22312 WHITE HOUSE SERVICE CENTER NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 18 MAY 2019 100% / AGENCY EDMOND BABINEAU RDC-03715 CONSTRUCTION UPGRADES - EAST BLDG INVESTMENT TIMELINE DEFICIENCY DC0042ZZ WASHINGTON SA 51 COMPLEX GAGHAN/HUANG JV SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 DISCIPLINE 1' DATE DRAFTED: SHEET SIZE: SHEET TYPE I 2' NC. DC 24 X 36 20210 SEQUENCE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION WHITE HOUSE SERVICE CENTER

HUANG'S, INC. 5601N General Washington Dr. Alexandria, VA 22312 SUMMER 700 JACKSON PLACE 704 JACKSON PLACE CONSULTANTS I N C O R P O R A T E D 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 | McLean, VA 22102 (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com

0 1' 2' 4' 8'

1/4"= 1'-0" GRAPHIC SCALE A/E CON. NO. A/E TASK NO. CONS. CONTR.GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 CONS. WORK PRIME A/E SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. SUB A/E CONSTR. CON. GAGHAN/HUANG JV NAME SA 51 COMPLEX STREET CITY/ST./ZIP WASHINGTON DC 20210 BUILDING NO. DC0042ZZ OTHER BUILDING NOs. FACILITY CODE PROJECT NEW ABA COMPLIANT HANDRAILS TITLE 704 JACKSON PLACE PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROJECT NO. RDC-03715 GSA PM EDMOND BABINEAU SUBMISSION 100% / AGENCY SUB. DATE 18 MAY 2019 DRAWING TITLE FILE NAME FLOOR NO. DRAWN BY DATE DRAFTED: JACKSON PLACE EASt ELEvAtiON ENtRANCE ELEvAtiON CHECKED BY SHEET SIZE: 24 X 36 0 1' 2' DRAWING NO. DISCIPLINE SHEET TYPE SEQUENCE 3/4" = 1'-0"

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) - PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT - FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Do not remove this notice. Properly destroy documents when no longer needed. PicKeT iMBeD aT TreaD SHOULD NEW RAILING BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE * LABEL, AND STORE CORE DRILLS ON SITE FOR REINSTALLATION COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TO MATCH COLOR AND SET WITH JAHN MORTAR ROUND CORE DRILL 2" DIA BROWNSTONE TREADS ANCHOR INTO EXTANT IN KIND REINFORCEMENT, REPLACE EXISTING TUBE STEEL 3"= 1'-0" 0

6" [152] 1' railing TerMinUS aT FacaDe BLACKENED BRONZE 1 1/2" DIAMETER SOLID RAIL 3"= 1'-0" 0 SOUTH elevaTiOn LINE OF EXTANT BALUSTER STOP RAILING ON CENTER 1 1/8 " SQ. SOLID PICKET LED LIGHT STRIP ESCUTCHEON 1' railing TerMinUS aT FacaDe CORNER OF ENTRANCE EDGE OF LANDING LINE OF FINAL EXTANT BALUSTER STOP RAILING ON CENTER LINE OF EXTANT BALUSTER STOP RAILING ON CENTER 1 1/2"= 1'-0" 0 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU) - PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Do not remove this notice. Properly destroy documents when no longer needed. 1' railing TerMinUS aT SiDewalK eaST - weST SecTiOn THrOUgH STair BROWNSTONE BALUSTER CENTERED ON EXTANT 1 1/8 " SQ. SOLID PICKET STONE HAND RAIL LINE OF EXTANT R2'-0 3/16" 1 1/2"= 1'-0" 0 EXTANT NEWELL [R615] 1'

GRAPHIC SCALE DRAWING NO. CHECKED BY DRAWN BY FLOOR NO. FILE NAME DRAWING TITLE SUB. DATE SUBMISSION GSA PM PROJECT NO. DESCRIPTION PROJECT TITLE PROJECT FACILITY CODE BUILDING NOs. OTHER BUILDING NO. CITY/ST./ZIP STREET NAME CONSTR. CON. SUB A/E PRIME A/E CONS. WORK CONS. CONTR. A/E TASK NO. A/E CON. NO. 0 3/4" = 1'-0" 5601N General Washington Dr. H 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 McLean, VA 22102 SUMMER CONSULTANTS I N C O R P A T E D (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com UANG'S, Alexandria, VA 22312 WHITE HOUSE SERVICE CENTER NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 18 MAY 2019 100% / AGENCY EDMOND BABINEAU RDC-03715 704 JACKSON PLACE NEW ABA COMPLIANT HANDRAILS DC0042ZZ WASHINGTON SA 51 COMPLEX GAGHAN/HUANG JV SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 1' DISCIPLINE DATE DRAFTED: 2' SHEET SIZE: SHEET TYPE I NC. DC 24 X 36 20210 SEQUENCE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION WHITE HOUSE SERVICE CENTER

HUANG'S, INC. 5601N General Washington Dr. Alexandria, VA 22312 SUMMER CONSULTANTS I N C O R P O R A T E D 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 | McLean, VA 22102 (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com

0 1' 2'

3/4" = 1'-0" GRAPHIC SCALE A/E CON. NO. A/E TASK NO. CONS. CONTR.GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 CONS. WORK PRIME A/E SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. SUB A/E CONSTR. CON. GAGHAN/HUANG JV NAME SA 51 COMPLEX STREET CITY/ST./ZIP WASHINGTON DC 20210 day / overcast BUILDING NO. DC0042ZZ OTHER BUILDING NOs. FACILITY CODE PROJECT NEW ABA COMPLIANT HANDRAILS TITLE 704 JACKSON PLACE PROJECT v I e W s a P P r o a c H I N G F r o M s o U t H e a s t DESCRIPTION PROJECT NO. RDC-03715 GSA PM EDMOND BABINEAU SUBMISSION 100% / AGENCY SUB. DATE 18 MAY 2019 DRAWING TITLE FILE NAME FLOOR NO. DRAWN BY DATE DRAFTED: CHECKED BY SHEET SIZE: 24 X 36

DRAWING NO. DISCIPLINE SHEET TYPE SEQUENCE

HUANG'S, INC. 5601N General Washington Dr. Alexandria, VA 22312 SUMMER CONSULTANTS I N C O R P O R A T E D 7900 Westpark Dr. | Suite A405 | McLean, VA 22102 (703) 556-8820 | www.summerconsultants.com

DUSK / RAILING ILLUMINATED

0 1' 2'

3/4" = 1'-0" GRAPHIC SCALE A/E CON. NO. A/E TASK NO. CONS. CONTR.GS-11-P-17-NW-C-0019 CONS. WORK PRIME A/E SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. SUB A/E CONSTR. CON. GAGHAN/HUANG JV NAME SA 51 COMPLEX STREET CITY/ST./ZIP WASHINGTON DC 20210 BUILDING NO. DC0042ZZ OTHER BUILDING NOs. FACILITY CODE PROJECT NEW ABA COMPLIANT HANDRAILS TITLE 704 JACKSON PLACE PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROJECT NO. RDC-03715 NIGHT / RAILING ILLUMINATED GSA PM EDMOND BABINEAU SUBMISSION 100% / AGENCY SUB. DATE 18 MAY 2019 DRAWING TITLE FILE NAME FLOOR NO. V I E W S A P P R O A C H I N G F R O M S O U T H E A S T DRAWN BY DATE DRAFTED: CHECKED BY SHEET SIZE: 24 X 36

DRAWING NO. DISCIPLINE SHEET TYPE SEQUENCE

DATE: June 5, 2019

TO: Nancy Witherell, GSA

PROJECT: Code compliant handrail installation, 704 Jackson Place NW

DC SHPO PROJECT NUMBER: 19-419

The DC State Historic Preservation Office has reviewed the above-referenced project in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended and has determined that:

This project will have no effect on historic properties. No further DC SHPO review or comment will be necessary.

There are no historic properties that will be affected by this project. No further DC SHPO review or comment will be necessary.

This project will have no adverse effect on historic properties. No further DC SHPO review or comment will be necessary.

This project will have no adverse effect on historic properties conditioned upon fulfillment of the measures stipulated below.

Thank you for reaching out to the National Park Service (NPS) to seek their comments on GSA’s determination of effects to this building, which is located in the National Historic Landmark Lafayette Square Historic District. The NPS has concurred with GSA’s finding of No Adverse Effect. Likewise, the DC SHPO concurs that the sensitively conceived handrail addition will have no adverse effect to historic resources. Thank you for providing this office the opportunity to comment.

BY: Anne O. Brockett Architectural Historian

1100 4th Street, SW, Suite 650-E, Washington, DC 20024 202-442-7600, fax 202-442-7638 GSA Public Buildings Service Automatic Categorical Exclusion AutoCATEX Form NEPA Memo to File Last Revised 2/17/12

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