Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Renovation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
YMCA gets commission approval to demolish front third of downtown building for new addition
Summary
The Lynchburg Historic Preservation Commission approved the YMCA of Central Virginia’s plan to demolish the front third of the downtown YMCA and construct a new front addition after structural problems made the existing frontage unsuitable for the planned expansion.
Jason Berger, an architect with Dominion 7 Architects representing the YMCA of Central Virginia, told the Historic Preservation Commission the project responds to structural constraints that prevent the existing front portion of the downtown YMCA from supporting the organization’s planned expansion. “We’re proposing demolishing that down to grade and building new up,” Berger said, explaining the team selected the design option staff and the commission had previously preferred and pared back the materials palette.
The commission approved the demolition of the front one-third of the building and the construction of a new front addition, clearing the project to proceed to permit-level documents and to continue fundraising. Berger said the revised design simplifies materials and lowers the main entry portal by about 4 to 6 feet to reduce visual prominence and improve symmetry.
Commissioners asked about interior circulation and program impacts. Berger said the demolition will enable a central circulation stair that ties varied floor levels together and improves wayfinding; the remainder of the building will receive a substantial interior renovation. Commissioners also discussed exterior colors. Berger said the bright YMCA brand colors had informed the initial palette but that the team had muted some elements and would consider alternatives if the YMCA preferred.
The commission voted to approve the project as submitted. The approval allows the owner and design team to finalize permit-level construction drawings; any future changes to lighting, materials or other exterior details that differ from the approved submission will require return to the commission as required by local review processes.
The approval was procedural and does not itself authorize demolition permits or building permits; the project team must obtain required building- and trade-level permits and file any subsequent lighting or site fixture details for review as needed.
