Board approves portico and ADA improvements for SAC center at 536 George Street

The Norristown Historical Architectural Review Board approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior accessibility and entrance improvements at 536 George Street, the SAC center. The project will add two new entrance porticos, replace brick paving at the front entry with stamped concrete, install 0.032" mill-finish aluminum columns and new ADA-compliant commercial doors with electric openers.

A project representative described the proposal as adding covered porticos to the two primary entrances and replacing the 19-foot brick walkway and adjacent paving with stamped concrete that preserves a brick-stamped pattern into the foyer to maintain the historic character. The representative also confirmed the use of mill-finish aluminum columns (0.032 gauge) and commercial-grade doors with electric openers to improve accessibility.

Board members noted the buildings mid-20th-century construction and some members observed it may be a non-contributing building given its age and architectural differences with surrounding historic fabric; that determination made review of design compatibility more straightforward. The board recorded comments on materials: mill-finish aluminum was acceptable for the columns and the stamped concrete should be used only on the paved approach and not on the lawn or sign area. The motion to approve included preservation of existing plantings and addition of protective bollards at the entrances.

The board voted to approve the COA with comments covering the two porticos, replacement of brick paving with stamped concrete in the approach, aluminum column finish, new ballards and ADA-compliant commercial doors. Council will review the COA on Oct. 7.