Stable to Get Makeover

The bidding process has begun to upgrade the historic Stable building for handicapped access. Currently housing the Parks and Recreation Department, the Stable may have a new entrance according to plans presented to the planning board as a courtesy review last week.

Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser unveiled a plan that will replace the current handicap access ramp in the front of the building, complete with rails. Under proposed plans, the two wood columns at the front of the building will also be relocated, the engineer said.

"We are bidding this project out right now and we would be making an amendment to correct any grading issues...the intent is also to provide a new entrance to the Stable, no longer using the main front doors," Rutishauser said. "What Parks and Recreation has found is that constant opening of the front doors–particularly in winter–sends a very cold draft of air through the building and really robs the building of heat." 

Rutishauser proposed that the doors still be used when necessary, but a new entrance be constructed to the side as the primary entrance point. "That entrance of course will be fully ADA compliant," he said.

Given the building's unique architecture, planning board members expressed concern that the character of the building could be compromised under a reoriented plan.

Rutishauser assured planning board members that bids are very specific and architectural and landscaping considerations have been made. The village is soliciting opinions of local architects as to the style of the door, likely fiberglass or wood, he said.

The engineer said the village briefly considered adding an additional door to the current entrance, but because the doors are heavy and may shift with varying heat, it complicated ADA compliance measures.

Given a tight construction timetable, the planning board unanimously approved the courtesy review plans while stipulating architectural features be kept in mind during construction.

The village previously reported it was planning on revising bids to replace the Stable roof. Bids had come in significantly higher than expected earlier this month, Village Manager Ken Gabbert reported.