SR 06:079 - Laserfiche WebLink

The proposed addition will not compromise but rather feature the historic structure with an addition that will continue to lead into the future yet be grounded in the past. The simple forms of the existing tower feature and building mass of the historic structure are echoed in the addition rather than trying to duplicate the original building. Adavtive Reuse - 2006 In the late 1990's, plans were developed and ultimately completed to move the Fire Department operations from the Firehouse on Railroad Avenue to a new-state-of-the-art facility on the Bernal property. The Downtown Parks and Trail Master Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan called for the adaptive reuse ofthe facility, which could accommodate an art gallery, small flexible theater, and classrooms. The Downtown Parks and Trails Master Plan states: The existing 1960's fire station addition is not well suited to accommodate the proposed program spaces, and would be removed and replaced by a new addition. Between the historic Firehouse to remain and the proposed addition would be a new two-story lobby space, a cafe [later removed by the Firehouse Task Force] and gallery space. Windows opening onto Railroad Avenue and Lions Wayside Park would provide natural light and create a strong visual link between the Downtown and the park. The lobby would be the meeting place of the old and new buildings; entry to the lobby would be both from the street and the park. Design Concept Issues Staff understands that there has not been complete consensus regarding the proposed building architecture. Some members of the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) have expressed the opinion that the building addition does not complement the existing historic Firehouse structure, and some elements of the new portion may be too modem in appearance. This view would support a design that more closely matches that of the existing building in terms of materials, detailing, and form. There is also concern that the Downtown Design Guidelines are not being adhered to with the proposed building design. Staff notes that the Firehouse Arts Center project is an adaptive re-use of the existing building, which itself represents the original historic structure built in the 1920's and the addition constructed in the 1960's. Thus the existing building is not purely historic, and the current proposal would eliminate the 1960's addition that could be characterized as an unsuccessful attempt to match the original building, largely by trying to use brick that neither complements nor matches the existing historic structure. The current plan, in staffs opinion, would feature the original Fire Station by removing the 1960's addition and creating a new addition which better respects and showcases the original building by not attempting to compete with or duplicate it. SR 06:079 Page 7 ofl7