Engineering Technology students at Youngstown State University are playing a respected role in restoring popular Youngstown landmark – the 5th Avenue grand staircase and front facade at historic Stambaugh Auditorium.
Students while in the Civil and Construction Engineering Technology program works with professional consultants about the $2.5 million project that will return the steps and fa?ade with their original 1926 grandeur.
“For our students, this offers a chance for a real-world experience perfecting the proper project, must construction and construction management process, plus an appreciation for local past and the area,” said Carol Lamb, professor and director with the YSU School of Engineering Technology.
“The finishing this project is of upmost importance for the cultural fabric and reputation of Youngstown,” said Mike McGiffin, development and community relations director at Stambaugh Auditorium. “For nearly one hundred years, the front fa?ade and staircase have served for a point of interest for a lot of celebrations in the neighborhood. From weddings to cultural gatherings, the history of Youngstown resides in this staircase.”
Stambaugh Auditorium, which includes a 2,553-seat concert hall, opened in 1926 by having a gift by Youngstown-area businessman Henry H. Stambaugh. The auditorium was in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
McGiffin said recent reports, funded by the Youngstown Foundation, prove that the staircase creating the key entrance on the auditorium have been negatively relying on 92 several years of harsh winters, salt treatments, rain, sleet and sun. Surveying and core drillings have figured the staircase is within several years of the end of life.
The Board of Directors and administrative staff of Stambaugh Auditorium intend to completely raze and switch the staircase and platform, re-construct retaining walls, add dimensional exterior lighting and clean the decades of soot with the outside of the fa?ade, McGiffin said. The project uses historically-guided materials in order to satisfy the Historic Preservation Office of Ohio and the National Historic Registry from the U.S. Department from the Interior.
The idea for that Stambaugh-YSU collaboration happened a few months ago when Lamb approached McGiffin of a student tour from the auditorium, specifically showing the structural facets of the dwelling. Matt Pagac, general manager of Stambaugh Auditorium, provided students with the past of the structure, building timeline, and various other structural components, from your space throughout the main auditorium to basement structure.
The first phase in the restoration project includes generating field photography, photo manipulation, a rendered site plan, construction and design documents, bidding, permits, approvals and construction administration.
Funding to your project includes two $500,000 allocations inside Ohio Capital Budget, with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Stambaugh Auditorium offers to raise additional funds over the course of the following year.
Article cited from YSU News, here.
