By BRIAN FERRY
The new Youngsville Borough Building will be built at the same location and have about the same footprint as the old building, but the similarities end there.
The one-story building with its metal roof and cement based siding will be dramatically different in both appearance and functionality.
The building, which could be ready for occupation this fall, will house the borough offices, including office space, council chambers, and a smaller conference room; the department of public works, with offices, a break room, locker space; and the police department with space for the chief, a patrol room, evidence area, and interview room.
The three main portions of the building will be separate, but connected, and each will have a dedicated entrance.
The 1901 building was vacated due to mold in April 2007 and torn down in February 2009. In that building, the council chambers and police department were located on the second floor.
Architect Jeff Zariczny of Inscale Architects said accessibility is a key component of modern municipal buildings.
The new building will meet the requirement of being fully handicapped accessible, he said.
Holding the structure to one level will keep the accessibility costs down, Zariczny said. An elevator and two stairways would add substantially to the cost and take away usable square-footage.
"There was never even a design on the table for two story," he said.
Because it is losing that upper level, the new building will have a footprint that is a little larger than the old building, though the loss of attached garages makes the square-footage about the same.
Council looked into having a "green" building, but decided to go as green as they could while being financially responsible. "Green certification? We're not necessarily looking for that," Council Vice President and Building Steering Committee Chairman Doug Peterson said. "Our main objective is to get something that's energy efficient."
"There are going to be some elements built into it that have some green notions to them," Zariczny said.
The proposal calls for radiant heat from the floors- "radiant systems are much more energy efficient," Zariczny said - heat recovery ventilation, a metal roof, and urethane insulation.
Those factors should add up to reduced energy costs. "It will be a much better performer in terms of energy usage," he said.
The ventilation system should help avoid the mold problems present in the old borough building and the Island Park community center used as a temporary borough office.
"We're trying to be very cognizant of that and address those issues," Zariczny said.
One design element that is not intended to save dollars, prevent mold, or satisfy codes is a small tower.
"There was originally a tower there," Zariczny said. "Civic buildings tend to have a vertical presence."
The tower will rise above the main entrance and will probably house mechanical equipment in a boiler room role. "It's going to house some of the heating and/or air conditioning equipment," Peterson said.
"I think it gives it a good icon," Zariczny said.
Bricks and plaques from the old borough building were saved and may be incorporated in the new building, Peterson said.
"It's a nice project," Zariczny said. "It's been enjoyable to work with (Borough Manager) Terry Williams and the council."
