Author: Zachary Hall

BCA worked with the NNY Community Foundation to restore and adaptively re-use the former Black River Valley Club into its new Philanthropy Center.  The 14,262 sq. ft. building was originally built in 1906 for the Black River Valley Club as their meeting place with a billiard room, bowling alley and banquet hall.  With declining membership, the Club looked to find a new use for the building that would preserve its rich history and place in downtown Watertown.  The NNY Community Foundation had outgrown its existing space and wanted to have space to grow and invest in the Downtown.  The $3.2 million project included demolishing the rear of the building and constructing a new rear entrance addition with an elevator and stair with parking.  The adaptive re-use of the front portion of the building restored the main stair and stained glass skylight, main entrance and meeting rooms while creating new meeting space and offices on the upper floors.

CENTRAL NEW YORK CHAPTER OF TEH AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, 2007 HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR. BCA worked with the Town of Clayton and the Clayton Opera House on the complete renovation of the structure. The Clayton Opera House has served the Thousand Islands in many roles for the past 100 years. The renovation included a complete heating and air conditioning system and addition for backstage space with dressing rooms, additional mechanical space and office space on the third floor. The recent renovation of the structure made it a premier venue for community functions and the performing arts. The work was done in accordance with NYSOPRHP guidelines and received grant funding from NYSOPRHP, NYS Department of State and USDA – Rural Development.

BCA worked with the Roswell P. Flower Library on the restoration/renovation of the historic Roswell P. Flower Library. The Library was constructed in 1904 by Emma Flower Taylor as a memorial to Watertown’s most prominent native son, the ex-Governor of New York State. The project included the renovation of the 1975 addition including the children’s section, charge desk, reference section, offices, and toilet facilities. The second phase included the restoration of the original 1904 section and its decorative interior elements such as paintings, murals, marble, stained glass, floors, and wood restoration.

BCA worked with Jefferson County on the restoration and adaptive re-use of the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Designed by Horatio Nelson White, who also did courthouses for Onondaga and Chemung Counties, the original building was completed in 1861. When the County built a new courthouse, the building became available for County office use. BCA worked with the County to assess the overall condition of the building and provided a masterplan for exterior restoration and adaptive re-use of the interior. Partial funding for the project was provided through an EPF Grant and BCA Architects & Engineers worked closely with SHPO to ensure the funding requirements were met.

BCA Architects & Engineers worked with the Town of Watertown since on the design of a new fire station for the Town of Watertown. The $1,800,000, 11,000 sq. ft. fire department facility includes 8 beds for a “bunk-in” program, kitchen, lounge, toilet rooms, offices, (4) 65-foot truck bays with support spaces. The building is designed for future expansion both vertically and horizontally.

BCA has been working with the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority since 1989. BCA has completed a number of projects for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority at the Historic “Boldt Castle” on Heart Island in the Thousand Islands. Boldt Castle is one of the main tourist attractions in the Thousand Islands and has been brought back from years of neglect by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. Restoration and repair of these buildings and the development of visitor amenities have been a focus of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. Projects include:

• Yacht House Restoration, Adaptive Reuse for Museum
• Stained Glass Dome
• Water-arch and Bronze Statuary
• Interior Master Plan/Elevator Reconstruction
• River Front Esplanade and Walkways
• PowerHouse Foundation
• Alster Tower Masonry Restoration
• Veranda Reconstruction
• Gazebo Reconstruction
• Overlook Reconstruction
• Swan Pond Adaptive Reuse to Docks