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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-19-1996 - X-B 1 O R A N G E C O U N T Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: MARCH 19, 1996 Action Agenda Item # X-S SUBJECT: RESTORATION OF THE NORWOOD-JONES LAW OFFICE DEPARTMENT: COUNTY MANAGER PUBLIC HEARING: Yes _x_N0 ATTACHMENT(S) : BUDGET AMENDMENT NEEDED: Yes _x—No LETTER INFORMATION CONTACT: REPORTS BY DCF ENGINEERING AND TODD DICKINSON MANAGER'S OFFICE, EXTENSION 2300 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough - 732-8181 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501 PURPOSE: To receive a report on the condition of the Norwood- Jones Office, a historic building located on the corner of Margaret Lane and Court Street in Hillsborough and owned by the county; and to receive a request by the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc. to consider a plan to restore the building. BACKGROUND: The building was originally occupied by William Norwood as his law office in the early decades of the 19th century. The Preservation Fund has received the attached report by DCF Engineering and Todd Dickinson which addresses the restoration requirements and costs of this building, and wishes to convey these reports to the BOCC. In addition, representatives of the Preservation Fund will be present to discuss the prospects of restoring the building. At present, the building is being used by the county as storage. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report as information. lawoff 2 THE PRESERVATION FUND OF HILLSBOROUGH, INC. March 1,1996 Mr. John Link, County Manager Orange County Administrative Offices Hillsborough, N.C. 27278 Dear Mr. Link: Re: NORWOOD JONES LAW OFFICE John Kennedy and I appreciated your time and interest last Wednesday morning. As we discussed, we have now completed the initial investigations into the feasibility of restoring the Norwood ,tones Law Office so that it may become a part of Hillsborough's historic sites to be open to our residents and visitors. If it is possible, Preservation Fund of Hillsborough would like to present this issue officially to the Members of the County Commissioners at the next meeting on March 19th in Carrboro. Our objectives would be to: a) receive permission to restore the building and b) establish a time frame in which the County and Preservation Fund can work together on this worthy venture. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on the 19th in Carrboro. Sincerely yours, Anne N. Beere cc: John F. Kennedy Elizabeth Matheson r 17 0ci,rra, • 4 January 24, 1996 John Link, Count., Manager Orange County Administrative Offices Hillsborough, N.C. 27278 Dear Mr. Link: NORWOOD- JONES' LAW OFFICE Last January you will recall that John Kennedy, Craufurd Goodwin and I visited you to express the interest the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough has in restoring and refurbishing the Norwood- Jones' Law Office so that it may become a part of Hillsborough's historic sites to be visited by our residents and visitors. Since then, the following steps have been taken to ascertain the size and scope of the project. 1) We have collected the history of the building. Briefly, the building was occupied by William Norwood (1767-1842) as his law office and may have been built by him. It was later owned by Richard Ashe and Cadwallader Jones, Jr., (1813-1899) but was repurchased finally by Mr. Norwood's son, John Wall Norwood, Jr. Later, John and his brother, Dr. Walter Norwood, built two more offices on the same lot, so that for a few years, a row of three Norwood offices existed in Hillsborough. Both the Norwood and Jones families were important and distinguished families in Hillsborough, and we can assume that a sizable body of legal transactions occurred in that small building which still stands, lending it significant historic importance.. 2) A Sub-Committee was formed from trustees of the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough with the following members to be responsible for various aspects of the restoration and refurbishing: Anne Beere, Chairman Elizabeth Matheson, Vice-Chairman Barbara Church Justice Harry Martin Craufurd Goodwin Hunt McKinnon George Horton Michael Southern 5 3. With the kind cooperation of William McAdoo, several visits were made to the site for the purpose of gathering information, inspecting the land and building, and consulting with the following persons: Mitchener Wilds, Senior Restoration Specialist, N.C. State Historic Preservation Office, Raleigh. Todd Dickinson, Restoration Expert, Hillsborough. David Fischetti, Engineer/President of DCF Engineering, Inc., Cary. 4. In his letter of April 11 th to you, John Kennedy advised that Todd Dickinson was to drill holes into the concrete wall to determine its stability. This was done and Todd reported his findings to David Fischetti. In September, Mr. Fischetti provided us with his condition assessment of the building. A copy of this report is enclosed for your information. 5. At our request, Todd Dickinson prepared a needs assessment of the building and a line item estimate for each recommendation. A copy of this report is also enclosed for you. To daze, we have been unable to obtain additional estimates, but expect to have figures from at least one other restoration/contractor. 6. ]Cathleen Turner has prepared a "Preliminary Interpretive Proposal for Visitor Access to the Norwood-Jones Law Office," and a copy of that is enclosed. Before proceeding further, we would very much appreciate meeting with you again. I will call you the week of January 29th to make an appointment. Thank you for your kind interest. Sincerely, Anne Beere cc: John Kennedy, Craufurd Goodwin, and Members of Sub-Committee f. DCF En ineenn g g� Inc.. ., September 15, 1995 95055 Hillsborough Historical Society c/o Mr. George Horton Telesis Construction Management, Inc. 4500 Schley Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 RE: Condition Assessment Cadwalader Jones Law Office 131 Court Street Hillsborough, North Carolina Dear Mr. Horton: The purpose of this report is to provide a condition assessment of the Cadwalader Jones Law Office in Hillsborough. SITE INSPECTION: This report is based, in part on our April 10, 1995, site visit where we met with Todd Dickinson, John Kennedy and Anne Beere. We conducted a walk-through inspection, verifying some basic dimensions, but performing no tests. Later, Todd Dickinson drilled several holes at the base of the wall, for exploratory purposes. HISTORY: The law office was built prior to 1839 according to the description in the historic district nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The gabled roof, one story, brick Federal style building has been used as a dwelling, sleeping place and office. DESCRIPTION: The site, bounded by West Mar ga r et La n e and Court Street is across from the Orange County Court House. The site is cut by West Margaret Lane which, being much lower in grade, necessitated that a foundation wall be installed to support the south side of the building. Apparently in the 1970's the road surface was lowered even more, requiring that a concrete containment wall be installed at the base of the wall. The PO Box 879 ■ 109 Brady Ct. ■ Cary,NC 27512-0879 ■ USA ■ (919)467-3853 ■ FAX(919)469-4901 7 DCF Englneenng, Inc. Cadwalader Jones Law Office September Page 2 of 5 dry laid stone wall of the law office was parged, the timber floor of the office was removed and replaced with a concrete slab, and the wall was tied into the slab with anchors at the floor line. STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS: The primary structural system consists of brick walls and a timber roof structure. These appear adequate to resist forces imposed by wind and snow loads as required by code. The critical condition is lateral earth pressure and hydrostatic pressure which has caused the foundation wall to bow outward, taking the south wall of the building with it. DISCUSSION: yAlthough the wall may appear to be stable at this time, the cement parging will continue to crack as moisture passes through it. To repair the bow in the brick wall will require some masonry restoration, shoring and bracing, and underpinning. If it is desired to install a wood floor to replace the existing concrete slab on grade inside the building then the stone foundation wall should be reinforced or rebuilt because the floor slab is now acting as an anchor. Replacement of th e slab w ill r equ ire that an alternate method of tieing back the stone wall be installed. There are at least three solutions which will stabilize or correct the bow in the south wall. The wall can be tied back with earth anchors of several different types. Sufficient attachment to the stone wall will require an array of many anchors or some kind of grillage of steel to be set against the face of the wall. Alternately, the wall can be replaced with a reinforced concrete wall faced with a veneer made from the existing stones. tThe best solution would be to rebuild the wall using traditional stone wall construction. A new wall, concrete or stone, will have to bear on firm subsoils below the frost line. The enclosed sketch shows the dimensions for a dry laid stone gravity wall which will be a stable, permanent solution. The most difficult part of dealing with this construction is the temporary support of the building while the underpinning is accomplished. A traditional dry laid stone wall will last forever if properly built. Proportions of the wall, soil bearing conditions, and drainage will affect its service life. The temptation to place concrete behind it, point the joints with mortar, set the stones in mortar, or parge the wall should be resisted. The wall will have to turn the corners of the building and also retain the entrance platform. As the wall runs uphill, it should be stepped as needed to prevent it from slipping down the slope. DCF Engineefing, Inc. 8 ,, Cadwalader Jones Law Office September Page 3 of 5 BRICK MASONRY: For any repairs, it would be appropriate to duplicate the unit size, color, and texture of the existing masonry. Using the same size brick would allow masons to "tooth" new construction or repairs into existing brick, maintaining coursing and the size of mortar joints. Sufficient tests should be performed to establish the design of an approved mortar mix to be used for all work at the site. ' BRICK MASONRY RESTORATION: This project will require masonry restoration specifications based on the ' characteristics of the existing masonry. Mortar for face brick should match the original mortar in color, texture, density, and porosity. It should have the same or less strength than the original mortar. New mortar should have the same or less hardness than the original brick as determined by testing. The color of mortar used for repointing should be matched to the original ' by matching the color of original aggregates and mortar components as closely as possible. An archeological search may uncover ingredients of the original job-mixed mortar such as oyster shells in the soil strata at the site which contains other ' construction debris. The use of salvaged brick should be discouraged. There are manufacturers who can match old brick very accurately and at least one manufacturer who is making bricks by the old methods. These bricks and a compatible mortar design mix are what is ' required to match in the brick masonry of historic buildings. The use of grinders, sandblasting, sanding discs or other abrasives should not be ' permitted in the cleaning of brick. Irrevocable damage has been done to historic masonry by abrasive brick cleaning. For example, removal of the outer surface of face brick may expose the more porous inner portion of the brick, which may lead to ' spalling or mortar joint deterioration due to moisture penetration and subsequent freezing. Repointing of brick masonry is a waterproofing procedure and not a solution for structural problems. The repointing process is a critical procedure which should be done in carefully selected areas with great care. Minimal repointing appears to be ' required at this time. The extent of masonry restoration and repair will be minimal. Existing brick units can be reset, the wall pushed back into line and the cracks stitched together. r DCF Engineefingjnc- 9 Cadwalader Jones Law Office September Page 4 of 5 RECOMMENDATIONS: The guidelines for applying the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation recommend that the "special problems inherent in the structural system of historic buildings, especially where there are visible signs of cracking, deflection or failure" be recognized. "Stabilization and repair of weakened structural members and systems when damaged or inadequate" are also recommended. "Historically important structural members" are to be replaced "only when necessary." This is a case where the supporting foundation wall is clearly inadequate. Reconstruction of the wall in a traditional manner is the appropriate solution. A replacement wall should extend to two feet below grade and be battered on the inside (against the soil) to resist overturning. The minimum wall thickness should be 2'-0" at the top of the wall. A properly constructed stone wall might have five times as much stone in it as the original foundation wall for stability and to extend to below the frost level. Reconstruction of the wall would yield the most permanent repair. Support of the building during construction will require the services of a structural moving contractor or a building/craftsman with underpinning and stone wall construction experience. The original stones can be salvaged and used in the new wall. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the Hillsborough Historical Society and their assignees for specific application to the referenced property in accordance with generally accepted engineering practice. Our inspection consisted of visual observation onl Y. made solely to determine e the structural integrity of the described building. Neither the inspection nor the report covers architectural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, hydrological and geotechnical features. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made. These conclusions and recommendations may not reflect variations in conditions which ' could exist intermediate of the observed locations or in unexplored areas of the building. Should such variations become apparent during subsequent investigation or construction, it may be necessary to re-evaluate our conclusions and recommendations based upon an on-site observation of the conditions. DCF En ineerin Inc. 10 g g� Cadwalader Jones Law Office September Page 5 of 5 Thank you for this opportunity to provide engineering services to you and the Hillsborough Historical Society. We appreciate the exploratory information provided to us by Todd Dickinson of Dickinson Restorations, Inc., which is included in this report. Should there be any questions regarding this report, or if we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Very truly yours, DCF ENGINEERING, Inc. , David C. Fischetti, P.E. :••'��H CgROi.', President :�� • •ESS cc: Todd W. Dickinson S E A L 6230 ' O• •j, DCF/nd 9`•, ''•••.......•-•' PROVIDE 400 O 18 S.P. PER SPIS FLOOR JOISTS PENTA TREATED PER AWPA. FLOOR SHEATHING SHALL BE 3/4" T&G HEART PINE OR RED OAK ON DIAGONAL EXISTING BRICK WALL 5/4 x 8 SUB-FLOOR. 4' MOE ANCHOR PLATE CONCRETE SLAB ON GRADE TO BE REMOVED. TO BE REMOVED. I I I I PROVIDE CRAWL SPACE, I ; I AND ADEOUATE VENTILATION. u j o j� O a I `" �� THESE ARE THE MINIMUM M 0 I o0o DIMENSIONS OF THE RE-WORKED a I N I �� STONE WALL TO ENSURE g I o°,o A STABLE WALL THE WALL I SHOULD INCLUDE STONES FROM v 2'-0" I �Oo THE EXISTING STONE WALL o i I e SUPPLEMENTED WITH STONES EAST MARGARET STREET G I I I I I SIMILAR IN SIZE, SHAPE 0 AND COLOR. 0. NO. 57 STONE EXISTING CONCRETE ny \ /DRAINAGE LAYER I J/ 6 THICK (MINIMUM). CONTAINMENT WALL —III—III \\\tpo TO BE REMOVED. SOFT I I-I 17 EARTH _IT. \° ° 1 I \\D% CURB I I \ I \ CONCRETE I NEW STONE WALL \\ PAVEMENT CONCRETE CURB j DRY LAID. \ I \\ I \ b \ I I \\\ N I \ L---------------------------------\- A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER SHOULD VERIFY THAT THE BEARING SOILS ARE ADEQUATE. S'-6" CROSS SECTION THRU THE SIDE WALL NOT TO SCALE .. .' ,_ , ate � : �� � - � � • � /1 i .I r � � � � , _r i��� r , . _ a ,�� ������ f `����� _���� ,'t,i 1.�` ) LI� �it�� � 1� '� �� r� �� .� �� �:.� �. r � ,,. r� ., r � - - = ► - � � 1. I � ! � � J I / i� � /// i !. I • ��./I N I 13 Mt Fig. 1 .0: The south side of the law office is bowed outward. 3 n i Fig 1 .1 : The cement parging of the stone foundation wall is cracked. ® 14 1 DICKINSON RESTORATIONS • I-O po d- INSPECTION REPORT CADWALLADER/JONES LAW OFFICE ca. 1830 Cost Estimate Proposal Added January 2,1996 SITE: FRONT(WEST) An 18' x 6' x 3"thick stone terrace borders the front of the office. This terrace has settled at its south end adjacent to the retaining wall. A telephone pole is planted at the outside comer of the stone retaining wall supporting the west side of the terrace. Recommendation: Attempt to get the power company to remove or relocate the pole away from the front of the building. Carefully tamp the backfill in the post hole. Pull the settled stones and reset on gravel beds. Reset stones as necessary to provide drainage away from the front of the structure. Perforate the concrete retaining wall at intervals for weep holes. Dig down 2-3 feet where the settled stones are removed along the concrete wall and backfill with washed 7/8 size gravel,tamp and cover with filter paper before resetting stones. $1,180. +pole removal SOUTH or ROAD SIDE This side of the structure drops away about four feet to a curb and the street(See David Fischetti's engineering report). I don't think removal of the concrete stucco to reveal the dry laid stone wall is feasible because it's removal would cause too much damage to the stone work and still leave traces of concrete on the stones. No charge REAR/EAST SIDE A grassy lawn slopes away to the rear and steeply south to the street from the rear of the structure. There is a stump of a telephone pole at the SE comer of the building. Recommendation: Increase the soil at the slope to the street or build a stone retaining wall continuing the foundation wall to the east. Cut off the post flush or below the finish grade. Soil,backfill,and seed. $ 200. Retaining wall $1,200.+ 4606 HUNT ROAD HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 919-732-5439 historic preservation consulting•contracting- restoration construction management 15 -2- NORTH SIDE toward JAIL A grass lawn slopes from the jail down toward the boxwoods lining the office's north side. Cut a shallow grassy swale to the north of the shrubbery to carry the water runoff around and to the rear or east of the office. Cut the boxwood back to at least 12"off the wall to reduce moisture on the lower brick work. Reduce the soil level against the brick work by 4-5". A more drastic solution to reduce moisture on the north side would entail removing the shrubbery and lowering grade adjacent to the wall about 12"and sloping it down from there to a new swale 6-8' away. Splashing off the shrubbery and rising damp are spoiling the interior plaster work. Moderate Measures $ 600. Drastic Solution $1,000. EXTERIOR: FRONT(WEST) The two bay brick gable front of the office contains a reproduction raised five panel door in good condition and a reproduction 9/9 window capped with flat brick arches. The brick work is in good condition with some open brick joints and slightly heaved brick below and to the south of the front door and along the foundation. Minor repointing is necessary over the entire front wall where small missing pieces of mortar allow water into the wall. Three inches of the stone foundation is visible above the stone terrace. The rake board and comer covering board are in good condition. The window is a replacement but of reasonably correct dimensions. Reglaze as necessary. The window shutters are in fair condition—needing some repairs--consolidation and flashing caps. Consider replacing the aluminum storm door with a wood screen/storm door. It protects the wood door behind it from water but even a wood screen/storm door is not"correct"for the period. The mortise lock on the front door operates,but is not proper for the period. An early"carpenter"lock or older rim lock would accurately fit the period of the structure. Replace the threshold. $1,920. SOUTH SIDE The two bay deep south side features two 9/9 windows evenly spaced along the solid brick wall. Reglaze the windows as required. The shutters are O.K. but remove for repointing work. The cornice boxing is in fair to good condition. Nail the loose roof mold back into place. Replace downspout and realign gutter. The gutter now dumps water down the center of the wall—repair as soon as possible. The brick side wall has bulged about three inches and been repointed several times(see engineering report). Pieces of steel have been bolted to the bulging wall and probably help retain it Ugly conduits carry electric wires across this elevation just above the foundation, which is constructed of bulging (most likely dry laid)stone work covered with a portland cement stucco coating and laid up in the last 15-25 years in an attempt to inhibit further displacement of this wall (refer to engineers report). Remove conduits and telephone wires and run wires behind baseboards on interior. Fill holes carefully, repoint open cracks in the brick wall,seal the joint where the brick rests on the stone/stucco wall and cap the wall to stop water entry. Consider weep holes low in the wall. $1,850. REAR WALL(EAST) This windowless solid brick wall features a center chimney projecting both into and outside the rear wall with an exterior fireplace in addition to the interior one. Perhaps an addition in this direction was contemplated during construction. There are minor settlement cracks on this wall that have been repointed previously as well as some open joints and cracks requiring repointing. Add mortar caps to the steps of the chimney above the exterior fireplace and cap the chimney top or add a flue for a gas log fire is desired. Replace a few missing bricks around c 16 -3- the fireplace and add stone work under the fireplace to support its south side. Repoint chimney stack. Rake boards and corner covering boards are in fair to good condition. Remove the conduit from the wall and run power inside the structure. $ 980. NORTH SIDE This solid brick side wall mirrors the south side with two 9/9 reproduction windows,both in fair to good condition. Reglaze as necessary. The window shutters are in good condition. Very minor repointing of the brick work is necessary. Remove an electrical conduit. Consider the fate of the window air conditioner. Cornice boxing in fair to good condition. The gutter and downspout are in good condition--rehang and align the gutter. $ 375. ROOF The roof is good condition"barn tin"or 5v metal--painted and peeling. It appears serviceable but not authentic as either wood shingles or a later standing seam metal would look. Either replace this roof or scrape, spot prime and paint. Preparation and paint. $ 350. or Replace with shingles. $3,125. Repointing Note: Be sure to carefully match mortar and follow the Secretary of the Interiors guidelines for repointing techniques. Mortar matching work $ 100. EXTERIOR PAINT Either scrape,wet sand by hand,wash,prime,caulk,and repaint the exterior trim or remove the thick paint build up with heat and repaint the exterior trim. Take into account recent OSHA and Evironmental Health Regulations for properly dealing with lead based paint. Reglaze the window sash as necessary. Carefully caulk around windows to prevent water getting into the walls,especially at the window sills. Glaze,preparation,and paint. $2,450. or Strip and repaint. $4,950. INTERIOR FRONT INTERIOR WALL LOOKING WEST The plaster applied directly to 8"thick solid brick walls is in fair condition. There is a structural crack over the window and a small crack above the door. There is moisture caused efflorescence bubbling from the plaster under the window,above the baseboard and in the right corner. Efflorescence must be scrubbed off and the areas treated with a 50150 vinegar and water mix,then rinse well and allow to dry completely before applying a plaster weld and fresh plaster. The chair rail is probably original,but the window and door casings are store bought replacements throughout. The originals probably had a beaded casing set square at the comers plus a molded back band of a profile similar to that at the inside of the mantle. Replace all trim except mantle and chair rail. Remove the electrical box from this wall and either install it in the north exterior wall and cover with art J 17 -4- work or conceal it on the shelves at the back wall. Set electrical outlets in a new replacement baseboard. Remove the vinyl baseboards. Replace the aluminum and rubber threshold with one of solid wood,inset a sweep into the door bottom and add a lip to the exterior of the door to shed water. $4,100. Keep the reproduction door,but replace the mortise lock and add a nice reproduction antique carpenter rim lock with a key lock for security. (Priced elsewhere) SOUTH INTERIOR WALL This wall has bowed outward over the years as the foundation has carried it toward the road. Repairs have been made to the center wall plaster which has continued to effloresce because the old damage was not neutralized and/or due to water penetration of the wall. Other plaster efflorescence is evident below the chair rail, in the upper comers and below the rear window. A telephone jack and water pipes perforate the area above the baseboard and should be relocated and organized. Replace trim,scrape,and repaint the windows. Repair the damaged plaster as specified under the front wall interior section. $1,050. EAST INTERIOR WALL The east wall contains the fireplace and projecting chimney masonry(plastered),the original mantle piece plus cabinets and plywood shelves added in the niches to either side of the fireplace. The attractive,simple,two panel mantle frames a fireplace opening that has been reduced in size from the original. I suggest opening this firebox up to its original dimensions,leaving approximately 4 1/2"of exposed masonry surround between the wood of the mantle and the fireplace opening. Plaster the 4 1/2"reveal. This reveal will not meet current code requirements but will be the correct original appearance. The firebox may require more work once its size is restored,or the demolition may be a simple task. Remove the much later shelves and cabinets and search for clues as to whether these replace earlier ones. Consider good reproductions or leave the niches for free standing fiuniture,etc. Perform minor plaster repairs. $ 950. Consider setting a gas log fireplace with its own vent pipe up the chimney. This could be an elegant solution to heating the building in a minimal way. Is gas available? Logs and gas line. $500-800. or Omit NORTH INTERIOR WALL This wall matches the appearance of the south wall but includes a radiator probably heated by a boiler in the jail. The left window will require some repairs besides the typical scrape and paint. Plaster damage on this wall is confined below the chair rail where splashing off the shrubs and/or rising damp have wrought their damage. Repair as mentioned earlier. Replace all trim except the chair rail. $ 980. Plus additional repairs if radiator is removed. $ 150. 18 -5- CEILING The ceiling plaster is in pretty good condition except for a couple of long hairline cracks,a settlement crack over the front window,and some efflorescence to the southeast. Two 4' double florescent lamps are in the center line of the ceiling. Remove the lights, switch one or two outlets and light with wall sconces or table lamps. Add an access hatch to the attic,and repair the plaster ceiling. Consider adding crown molding--look for a ghost in older layers of plaster at the top of a wall where the plaster needs further repair. Without crown mold. $ 950. FLOOR The floor is now vinyl squares glued to concrete. I assume the original floor was conventional wood joists with heart pine floor boards. Vents in the masonry walls below the floor level would not have been used under a solid masonry(stone flags or brick)floor. This concrete slab was poured after the south brick wall bowed,or perhaps the concrete encouraged some of the bow when it was poured. Now this wall appears stable. It has not crept away from the slab. If a decision is made not to remove this slab and undertake all the digging,supporting,shoring,and masonry work delineated in the Fischetti report,a modern floor system of treated plywood and flooring or even thin brick pavers could be laid on this slab for a more authentic look. Wood on slabs is done all the time now,but the danger of moisture cupping the new floor is a potential problem. Consider a painted floor cloth. $800. - 1,200. ATTIC Ventilation and insulation will help this building be comfortable. Add soffit vents and penetrate the rear wall to extend chimney flue for exhaust vents from attic. A very small air conditioner might be required for summer use. If there is a small enough unit,it could be set in the attic or perhaps a small dehumidifier artfully concealed will suffice. Use will determine cooling needs--perhaps a fan? Insulate attic floor with R-30 batts. Vent and insulate. $ 450. Install HVAC unit. $4,000.+ INTERIOR GENERAL PAINT The thick paint build-up on the mantle and chair rail should come off and paint analysis be done to determine the early colors. Leave a sample of all coats of paint in a patch on the mantle and somewhere on the chair rail for future investigation. Brush on all paint--use a paint that will simulate white wash on the plaster walls. Not including paint analysis $1,850. PERMITS AND PROJECT SUPERVISION, PROFIT $2,200. TOTAL COST(DEPENDING ON REPAIR CHOICES) $29,185. - $35,560. 1 19 -6- SUMMARY Except for the bulged south wall,this building is in fair to good condition. The first priority should be to keep water out—repair the gutters and downspouts. Vent the attic,repoint the brick work,caulk around the windows,prevent water from entering above the stucco wall and caulk window and door trim tightly to the masonry with a top quality,paintable caulk. Dry out the interior with either dry moisture absorbants or a small dehumidifier. Regrade and prime at the north side. Other repairs are not as important and will require discussion by the committee in charge. We are currently booked through mid to late summer,but will gladly perform the priority,temporary repairs as soon as possible. Respectfully submitted, Todd W.Dickinson t 20 r Preliminary Interpretive Proposal: Norwood-Jones Law Office Prepared by: Cathleen Turner, Executive Director The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Hillsborough has a wealth of historic resources relating to its history as the county seat of Orange County since the mid-eighteenth century. The remaining early nineteenth century law offices are a testament to its significance as the center of government and the home of many noted jurists. The Norwood-Jones Law Office, located on the southwest corner of West Margaret Lane and Court Street, is a unique example of this building type. With the restoration of the Hughes Academy nearing completion, an excellent opportunity exists to interpret the history of both law education and the law profession to visitors and students. With the County's approval, the Norwood-Jones Law Office could become part of this heritage tourism program in Hillsborough. Tour recommendation: Monday- Friday A volunteer can be stationed at the Alexander Dickson House (Orange County Visitors Center)to give two 30 minute tours per day to the Regulator Marker, the Hughes Academy,*the Norwood-Jones Law Office,* and the Old Orange County Courthouse.** One of the tours can be scheduled in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Saturday A volunteer can give two 45 minute tours per day that will include the Regulator Marker, Hughes Academy,*Norwood-Jones Law Office,* and the Old Orange County Courthouse.* Sunday A volunteer can give one 45 minute tour that will include the Regulator Marker,Hughes Academy,*Norwood-Jones Law Office,* and the Old Orange County Courthouse.** *includes a tour of the interior and exterior of the building. ** exterior tour only.