Tumwater’s Historic Preservation Commission approved on Thursday, November 16, a certificate of appropriateness for the second phase of the renovation project for the old brewhouse tower.
The project's second phase involves the construction of seismic improvements to the brewhouse’s structure, following roof and brickwork repairs during the first phase of the project, which was completed in July 2020.
James Cary from Cardinal Architecture PC had already presented to the commission their schematic designs in previous meetings but showed the plans again before the commission issued the certificate.
Several timber piles currently support the foundation of the tower. Cary said that they plan to install micropiles around these existing foundations, all the way down to the bedrock, which would be 12 feet deep from the ground level.
The piles would be driven vertically to support the weight of the building and also diagonally on 45-degree angles to support the building laterally.
Cary added that they would build new concrete walls on the east and west of the first floor and transition to a steel frame starting on the second level up to the top of the tower.
The commission’s approval is part of the city’s permitting process. Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) has already expressed its approval of this project phase earlier last month.
State Historical Architect Jeronimo Roldan wrote to Tumwater Communications Manager Ann Cook on October 18, stating that the planned seismic retrofits to the tower would have no adverse impact and that the plan meets the Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitating historic properties.
Roldan also wrote that DAHP believes the brewhouse is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Cook told the commission that staff will present phase two of the project to the city council at the beginning of 2024 to discuss the cost and estimates of the coming phase. She added that Discover Channel will feature the brewhouse during spring next year.
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FordPrefect
It’s nice that they’re trying to preserve the old brewhouse.
I know it’s outside the scope of this article, but does anyone know if there are plans demolish the defunct, not-so-old brewhouse(s)?
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Report this
griffithga
Great news that rehabilitation of the old brewhouse is progressing with this important step. Also cool that Discover Channel is be filming efforts to preserve this icon of our region.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Report this
JJmama
It would have been helpful to know what the actual project on the old Brewhouse IS...not just the very limited info on this particular phase. I still don't have any idea what the plan is there.
A news piece which doesn't give background on a story in which context makes all the difference, such as in this case...isn't very useful.
I assume this might be because of the Philippines based reporters JOLT uses?
Still, I don't see any reason this should prevent reporters--wherever they're at--from reporting a full story so it makes sense to the community.
Just requires a more thorough research.
Saturday, December 16, 2023 Report this