SHENANDOAH - Until further notice, the J.W. Cooper Community Center, White and Lloyd streets, will be closed to public events until the former high school building is brought up to modern handicapped-access and safety standards.
Building owner Kent Steinmetz said the building was recently inspected by an official from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry who found the access deficiencies, resulting in not allowing the building to be used for events such as concerts and tours.
Steinmetz said a feasibility study was done in 2005 on the building and its uses. He worked from those plans as renovation work was done and the building was opened for tours and concerts were held periodically.
"I was under the impression that I was able to use the plans that were given to me and build from there," Steinmetz said.
He said there were grants available from various sources when he purchased the building, but when the economy tanked, the grants dried up. However, having purchased the building, Steinmetz plans to continue upgrades and renovation, though it will be as at a much slower pace.
"It has been a bit stressful since we don't have any income coming in," Steinmetz said. "This is just the way it has to be. I'm learning a lot as time goes on and I really want to do things right. My goal is to set a good example. The borough has been great in giving me guidance. Joe (Palubinsky, borough manager) seems interested in wanting us to succeed, but he has to follow the guidelines, too. He's doing his job."
Maintenance and repairs, such as replacing windows, fixing a broken pipe or cutting grass around the building, is not an issue. Any structural work will require permits as with any major project, Steinmetz said.
For Valerie E. Macdonald, president of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. and owner of a business in the Cooper center, the lack of access for customers means the business will close for the time being.
Macdonald said that Steinmetz needs to do a balancing act between two state agencies, with L&I ordering the structural modifications for the handicapped access and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission requiring the building to stay as close to its original structure in order to be considered as a building with historical significance..
"We'll need to put in a wheelchair lift and it will be a huge job to take out the steps," Macdonald said. "Then we'll get in trouble with the PHMC in order to get tax credits and the historical designation.
Steinmetz said new architectural plans are being made to accommodate the use of the building, along with current safety guidelines as set forth by Labor and Industry.
"Initially, one of the main entrances ("Boys" side) will be made wheelchair accessible and at least one of the bathrooms on the third floor will be made ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant," Steinmetz said. "Ultimately, an elevator in the northeast corner will give access to all four levels and possibly the 15,000-square-foot roof. The original feasibility study plans made in 2005 will be enhanced to show the eventual changes to take place in a phased process."
Steinmetz said he knows the upgrades are going to take time, especially in raising the money for the work.
"This will take years to accomplish, although we've made measurable progress now that we're in our fourth year of work," he said. "Architects and engineers have been visiting the school over the past two months and will continue as plans are developed."
Unfortunately with the building closed to public events, that also removes the income raised through concerts.
A concert by the Upper Schuylkill Marching Band planned in the Cooper auditorium on Aug. 18 was moved to the Shenandoah Valley High School auditorium. Steinmetz thanked the SV school board for allowing the concert in the school.
Of the approximately 600 broken window panes in the Cooper building, Steinmetz only 94 are left to replace for the building to be totally sealed.
He said the cleaning and painting that has been done the past few years by local volunteers and contractors is greatly appreciated. The removal of 16 tons of debris and garbage along with some painting has allowed the project to progress to its current level. Most of the holes in the roof have also been repaired.
"The committee overseeing the J.W. Cooper Community Center thanks the local borough management, code enforcement officer and their support staff for the assistance they've provided and continue to provide," said Steinmetz. "The park on the south side of the school continues to improve weekly. Volunteers cut the grass weekly - weather permitting - pick up the garbage and spray the weeds. Some brush and small trees have also been removed."
As long as the weather allows, the food pantry will continue to operate outside the building from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Donated food is being collected, Boran's Cobblestone Bakery, Shenandaoh, is donating product and some food is being purchased.
"We're proud of the support we continually receive from Shenandoah and neighboring communities," said Steinmetz. "Although progress appears slow at times, be assured the community center will continue to operate as (with) support of the local residents. We also appreciate that minimal vandalism has taken place over the past couple of years.
"At some point, possibly years from now, the borough will proudly look at what had been accomplished by a small group of people with minimal funding, but with a 'can-do' attitude," Steinmetz said. "The building's construction was started in 1917. On its 100th anniversary, it will be interesting to compare some of the photographs taken over the years with what it will look like in 2017."