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Columbia HARB approves covered stairway/bridge to connect Wright's Ferry Mansion buildings
Summary
The Columbia Borough Historical Architectural Review Board on April 9 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a covered stairway/bridge and accessible ramp linking the Wright's Ferry Mansion property and outbuildings, a project proponents said will provide year-round visitor access and a secure connection across Bank Avenue.
The Columbia Borough Historical Architectural Review Board on April 9 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new covered stairway/bridge and accessible ramp to connect the Wright's Ferry Mansion museum complex to outbuildings on the parcel across Bank Avenue.
The project, presented by James Abbott, executive director of the museum, and architect George Zimmerman, calls for a roughly 207-square-foot enclosed stair/bridge structure to carry visitors up a six-foot elevation difference between the museum and an adjacent cottage and library. Abbott said the addition will make portions of the museum complex more “user friendly, more publicly accessible” and allow the campus to offer visitors a sense of the collection year-round when the mansion itself is closed.
"My name is James Abbott. I'm the executive director," Abbott told the board while describing the property’s library and plans for expanded public access. Architect George Zimmerman described the structure as providing an accessible pathway and an enclosed, sheltered connection for weather and security: "so it requires stairs to go up from the elevation walking. We're also playing a ramp, with accessible pathway as well along this side," Zimmerman said.
Board members discussed visibility and materials, with presenters noting the new structure will be largely screened from Second Street and designed to complement the historic site. The applicants said doors at each end would allow the passage to be secured when the property is closed.
The board voted to approve the COA as presented. The motion carried; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally or the mover/second by name.
The approval allows the foundation and museum staff to proceed with the enclosed stair/bridge and accessible ramp as shown in the application packet. The project proponents additionally described related plans for a library/archive and a separate parcel that may be developed later as a year-round gallery space to complement the mansion.
