Historic Structure Report: Quarry Visitor Center
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Dinosaur NM: Historic Structure Report (Quarry Visitor Center) Dinosaur Historic Structure Report Quarry Visitor Center Quarry Visitor Center Dinosaur National Monument Utah/Colorado Historic Structure Report Prepared by: Denver Service Center October 2003 Denver Service Center United States Department of the Interior TABLE OF CONTENTS http://www.nps.gov/dino/hsr1/hsr.htm Last Updated: 13-Jan-2004 http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dino/hsr.htm[3/15/2013 2:01:45 PM] Dinosaur NM: Historic Structure Report (Quarry Visitor Center) Dinosaur Historic Structure Report Quarry Visitor Center TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER (HTML) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (HTML) ADMINISTRATIVE DATA (HTML) PART 1. DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY (PDF) Chronology of Development and Use Physical Description Character Defining Features Condition Assessments Civil Condition Assessment Site Condition Assessment Architectural Condition Assessment Structural Condition Assessment Mechanical Condition Assessment Electrical Condition Assessment PART 2. TREATMENT AND USE (PDF) Ultimate Treatment and Use Requirements for Treatment Civil Requirements for Treatment Site Requirements for Treatment Architectural Requirements for Treatment Structural Requirements for Treatment Mechanical Requirements for Treatment Electrical Requirements for Treatment Alternatives for Treatment Civil Alternatives for Treatment Architecture Alternatives for Treatment Structural Alternatives for Treatment Mechanical Alternatives for Treatment Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment Civil Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment Site Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment Architecture Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment Structural Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment Mechanical Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment Electrical Assessment of Effect for Recommended Treatment http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dino/hsrt.htm[3/15/2013 2:01:54 PM] Dinosaur NM: Historic Structure Report (Quarry Visitor Center) APPENDIX A. HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX B. EXISTING CONDITION PHOTOGRAPHS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX C. HISTORIC DRAWINGS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX D. EXISTING CONDITION/TREATMENT DRAWINGS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX F. HISTORIC DOCUMENTS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX G. NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION FORM (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX H. PROJECT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM PMIS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX I. MATERIALS/PAINT ANALYSIS (omitted from online edition) APPENDIX J. BIBLIOGRAPHY (omitted from online edition) Division of Project Management Ron Shields, Project Manager Division of Facility Design and Construction Bruce Keller, Job Captain/Structural Engineer Geoffrey Yost, Architect Larry Kilborn, Architect Dave Snow, Historical Architect Emma MŽndez Qui–ones, Electrical Engineer Scott Thomas, Mechanical Engineer Lynn Wegee, Mechanical Engineer Jim Pazalos, Engineering Technician Division of Planning and Site Design Steve Bainbridge, Civil Engineer Tom Thomas, Cultural Resource Specialist Robert Ryan, Landscape Architect http://www.nps.gov/dino/hsr1/hsrt.htm Last Updated: 13-Jan-2004 http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dino/hsrt.htm[3/15/2013 2:01:54 PM] Dinosaur NM: Historic Structure Report (Quarry Visitor Center) - Executive Summary Dinosaur Historic Structure Report Quarry Visitor Center EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The Quarry Visitor Center at Dinosaur National Monument, recognized as a National Landmark and one of the most significant structures produced by the Mission 66 program, is in dire need of stabilization treatment. It could be argued that in its current state, the Quarry Visitor Center is marginally habitable. Despite major interventions over the years, the building continues to move, even as this report is being written. Due to the advanced nature of the structural failure, there is primarily only one recommended alternative for treatment presented in this report: total replacement of the South and Administration wings. This will result in the reconstruction of both wings to their former 1958 appearance, reusing as many architectural features as possible. In addition, the Exhibit Shelter is in need of rehabilitation and modification to complete the stabilization treatment. Overview of Recommended Treatments and Use: Stabilizing the Quarry Visitor Center will be a highly unusual, if not paradoxical, undertaking because the period of significance is an extremely short time frame: The National Register Nomination cites "1957-1958". Essentially, this is the period of time during which the structure was initially constructed and first opened to the public (dedicated on June 1, 1958), prior to few if any subsequent modifications. Therefore, the recommendations set forth in this report lean heavily on a combination of the original design documents and verification of their execution. Known alterations, implemented after the period of significance, are recommended to be removed. Conversely, known historic (executed during the two-year period of significance) design features are recommended to be restored to, or retained at, their historic 1958 appearance. Features of unknown origin are recommended to be retained in place, or salvaged and reinstalled, if they have to be removed. Below is a summary of the primary recommended treatments presented in this report: Move, rehabilitate, and reinstall historic serpentine entrance ramp on a new expansive soil tolerant foundation. Demolish and reconstruct the Administration Wing, salvaging, rehabilitating and reusing historic window wall frames, windows, doors, door frames, characterdefining finishes, and stair assembly. A new expansive soil tolerant foundation will be installed. Demolish and reconstruct the South Wing, salvaging, rehabilitating and reusing historic window frames, windows, doors, door frames, and character-defining finishes. A new expansive soil tolerant foundation will be installed. http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dino/hsrs.htm[3/15/2013 2:02:03 PM] Dinosaur NM: Historic Structure Report (Quarry Visitor Center) - Executive Summary Demolish and reconstruct the Visitor Gallery second floor concrete deck and floor slab below. Salvage Exhibit Shelter stair assembly. Rehabilitate and reinstall as part of South Wing and Visitor Gallery reconstruction. Rehabilitate the Exhibit Shelter exterior steel frame and glazed wall system by removing and reinstalling historic glass in a flexible glazing system. Since the period of significance does not cover a period of time when the Quarry Visitor Center was substantially in operation (one summer), it is difficult to recommend any ultimate use that does not in some way conflict with or modify the character-defining features. With that in mind, this report recommends restoring the structure to its initially- constructed appearance, the only variance from the original design being accessibility, egress, and structural treatments. Further analysis of a future program for use, interpretation, and their subsequent impacts on the Quarry Visitor CenterÕs National Register qualities, will have to be evaluated as they develop and then weighed during the schematic design process. The Historic Structure Report will set the philosophical sideboards for these discussions. This report is not intended to be the schematic design for treatment; rather it is baseline information for future use in preparation of the final design program, future schematic design and construction documents. Research, Findings and Major Issues: Initial Historic Structure Investigation performed on January 21 through 23, 2003 Ron Shields, Project Manager, Denver Service Center Dave Snow, Supervisory Historical Architect Geoff Yost, Architect Bruce Keller, Job Captain and Structural Engineer Mark Matheny, Geotechnical Specialist PURPOSE: The purpose of the field visit was to perform the initial investigation required for the preparation of a Historic Structure Report. Overall, the structure was found to be in an advanced state of structural distress and deficient in Life Safety Code compliance. DISCUSSION: Fire and Life Safety (Egress) There is only one exit from the building, which serves both park staff and visitors. The two existing public entries at the east end are so close together (even though they are on different levels) they are considered as one exit. Sizable groups of visitors congregate at the second-floor mezzanine and first floor visitor gallery. Egress is neither adequate nor code compliant. In a fire or catastrophic event (falling glass), the visitors are at risk. By code, additional emergency egress is required. Additionally, neither public nor staff areas are completely protected by a fire suppression system. An early warning fire detection and alarm system is required by policy - (D.O. 50B, Reference Manual 50B, Section 12.2.A.5 & 6). According to DirectorÕs Order 58, the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) in these http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dino/hsrs.htm[3/15/2013 2:02:03 PM] Dinosaur NM: Historic Structure Report (Quarry Visitor Center) - Executive Summary matters is the Regional Structural Fire Management Officer, Bruce Goodwin. Occupational Safety and Health Due to prolonged structural movement over the years caused by expansive soils under building foundations, openings now exist in the building envelope, allowing access by rodents. This has created an active infestation, thus raising Hantavirus,