Upper Cumberland architects selected for York Institute adaptive reuse plan
Maffett-Bouton & Associates, an architectural and engineering firm in Cookeville, has been selected to create an adaptive reuse plan for the 1920s-era York Institute building in Jamestown.
“We are excited about the opportunity to be a part of bringing another historical building back to life, and in doing so honoring a World War I hero,” said architect Bill Maffett.. “It is projects like these that make our jobs as architects worthwhile.”
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the York facility has undergone a $1 million remediation and stabilization through the efforts of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, a nonprofit organization that negotiated rescue of the building from demolition by the State of Tennessee.
“Bill Maffett and Gary Bouton are developing a comprehensive long-range adaptive reuse plan for turning the historic building into a center for teaching and research, as well as a venue for showcasing culture, the arts and history,” said Claudia Johnson, executive director of the SYPF. “Our board believes that collaborative partnerships with schools, colleges, technology centers and arts, history and cultural organizations will carry forth the legacy of Sgt. York.”
The adaptive reuse plan is being funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Historical Commission, matched by donations from Next Generation Underwriters of Hendersonville and Cumberland Lake Shell of Somerset, Ky. Johnson said Maffett-Bouton & Associates was selected from more than a dozen firms throughout the Southeast invited to submit proposals.
“This firm has more than fifty years experience in architecture, engineering and construction, including numerous adaptive reuse projects,” Johnson said. “Our board also considered that this firm is from the Upper Cumberland. Sgt. York believed in supporting his region, and we do too.”
Johnson said as many local companies and suppliers were used during the 2009 preservation of the building as possible, a practice which will be continued as the restoration process moves forward.
“We believe this is an important project for the region, and we are proud to be a part of developing it,” Bouton said. “Our firm places emphasis on serving as a resource for both the contractor and the client as it pertains to new materials and technology, code compliance, planning and zoning. We also focus on designing environmentally friendly facilities.”
In creating an adaptive reuse plan, the SYPF board has asked the architectural firm to prioritize utilization for classrooms, laboratories and other space allocation as deemed necessary to offer additional educational opportunities on the Upper Cumberland Plateau.
“We hope to form strategic partnerships with such entities as York Agricultural Institute, Tennessee Tech University, TTU STEM Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Technology Center, Roane State Community College, adult education, workforce development and others,” Johnson said. “Bill and Gary will be seeking and considering input from potential stakeholders when formulating the reuse plan,” Johnson said. “There is also an obligation to work within guidelines for restoration of historically significant buildings, preserving the architectural integrity while making the facility fully functional for modern use.”
Considering the size of the building, Johnson said space may be allocated for permanent and traveling flat panel exhibits that focus on local, regional, state and national history, arts, culture and humanities.
“A long-time dream of some of our board members is creation of a WWI research center to serve scholars and students throughout the world,” Johnson said, adding that there is ample space for small conferences, seminars and meetings. “Though the spacious original auditorium was demolished long ago, we hope to offer a more intimate auditorium for public use – training, seminars, lectures, concerts, screenings, drama, etc.”
Johnson expects that the cost estimates, project renderings and schematic site plan produced by Maffett-Bouton will be instrumental when approaching potential partners and funding sources.
“We have already raised approximately $500,000, primarily from private foundations and individuals, but all of those funds have been used to match a $500,000 grant from the state for merely saving the building by addressing environmental hazards and structural issues.”
For more about the architectural firm visit maffett-bouton.com. For comprehensive information about the York Institute restoration project, visit www.sgtyork.org.
Historic York Institute in Jamestown, Tenn., was built with funds raised by Sgt. York during the 1920s. The building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places as Nationally Significant, was abandoned for nearly three decades when the Sgt. Patriotic Foundation accepted it from the State of Tennessee in 2008. It has since been remediated and stabilized and is now ready for adaptive reuse as a multi-use educational facility – a goal the SYPF believes would make Sgt. York proud. See photo of Sgt. York digging the footer for the building.
The SYPF is a 501 3c, donations are tax deductible.
$1 million has been raised. Stabilization and Remediation is complete.
Adaptive reuse plans include:
1. Classrooms, laboratories, etc., as deemed necessary to offer additional educational opportunities on the Upper Cumberland Plateau, accomplished through strategic partnershsips with such entities as York Agricultural Institute, Tennessee Tech University, TTU STEM Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Technology Center, Roane State Community College, adult education, workforce development and others.
2. Space for permanent and traveling flatpanel exhibits that focus on local, regional, state and national history/arts/culture/
humanities.
3. A WWI research center to serve scholars and students throughout the world.
4. Corporate headquarters for the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation.
5. Space for small conferences, seminars, meetings and other educational gatherings.
6. An auditorium for public use – lectures, concerts, screenings, drama, etc.
$4.5 million needed to complete the project. Your support is needed and appreciated.
Plan Adopted by SYPF Board for Educational Adaptive Reuse
of historic York Institute
Cookeville Times - Story Published: Feb 11, 2011 at 1:58 PM CST
A proposed adaptive reuse plan for the historic York Institute building has been adopted by the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, according the organization’s executive director, Claudia Johnson. To date more than $1 million has been expended to save the building, Johnson said. “This money was primarily obtained through a $500,000 grant from the State of Tennessee matched by private donations from interested individuals totaling almost $400,000,” she explained. “A very limited amount of this money was received from the Tennessee Historical Commission and a one-time Congressional appropriation of $90,000.” Johnson said that Foundation is incurring the ongoing cost of maintenance, insurance, security and moisture control while a plan is being developed and funds are raised to complete the project.
“It is our plan to move forward with creation of an adaptive reuse plan that would incorporate some or all of the concepts described within a resolution passed unanimously by the SYPF board in 2010,” The Board agreed that the future of the historic building will best honor the educational legacy of Sgt. York if it becomes a multi-use educational facility available to meet a variety of community needs.”
Among those to be considered in preparation of a formal, working plan are:
1. Classrooms, laboratories, etc., as deemed necessary to offer additional educational opportunities on the Upper Cumberland Plateau, accomplished through strategic partnerships with such entities as York Agricultural Institute, Tennessee Tech University, TTU STEM Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Technology Center, Roane State Community College, adult education, workforce development and others to be provided by lease agreements and funded by collection of appropriate fees.
2. Space for permanent and traveling flat panel exhibits that focus on local, regional, state and national history/arts/culture/humanities.
3. A WWI research center to serve scholars and students throughout the world.
4. Corporate headquarters for the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation.
5. Space for small conferences, seminars, meetings, etc.
6. An auditorium for public use – lectures, concerts, screenings, drama, etc.;
7. Other purposes as deemed appropriate by the SYPF.
The SYPF is currently seeking proposals from qualified engineering or architectural firms experienced in historic preservation projects.
For more information about the project or the SYPF, visit www.sgtyork.org or to donate, join or volunteer, call Johnson at 931-347-2664.
York Institute Stabilization and Remediation Completed (January 2010)
The remediation and stabilization phases of the historic York Agricultural Institute preservation initiative is complete. Expenditures for these activities alone have totaled approximately $1 million. Having been slated for demolition by the State of Tennessee, which had owned the former school building built through the efforts of World War I hero, Sgt. Alvin C. York, the deserted facility was acquired by the nonprofit Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation (SYPF) in 2008. Extensive brickwork and a protective roof membrane covering the entire building are two of the measures that will keep the building safe from the elements and animals. The SYPF voluntarily paid for repair of the pavement surrounding the building, ensuring safety of school personnel, students and visitors. The SYPF, which owns the building, has also paid engineering, contracting, permitting and other associated fees and invoices. The State of Tennessee agreed to reimburse the Foundation up to
$500,000, but there are numerous related expenditures that were necessary to complete the first two phases of saving the school that are not eligible for reimbursement. Further, the SYPF has become responsible for paying monthly telephone bills associated with the fire alarm system and monthly electric bills for powering an exhaust fan system that will prevent the build up of moisture while the building is empty awaiting further rehabilitation and final use. Though the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation has been fortunate enough to attract money from several large donors and some local contributors, much more is needed to return the centerpiece of Sgt. Alvin C. York’s legacy to the condition it deserves. Few Federal and State dollars are available, and the project is expected to proceed primarily because private foundations and individuals commit to seeing the building saved.
The Willard M. and Ruth Mayer Johnson Charitable Foundation has donated
the second installment of a $250,000 pledge to be paid over five years for use in York Institute’s restoration and adaptive reuse initiative.
Congressman Lincoln Davis’ office assisted the SYPF in procuring a
Congressional Appropriation of $95,000 for use in remediation of potential health
or environmental hazards at the YAI project site, such as asbestos or animal/bird
fecal matter. Final testing determined that all such threats were eliminated.
Ward Correll of CEO of Cumberland Lake Shell headquartered in Somerset,
Ky., continues to support the restoration of the YAI building through his financial
contributions.
Rod Foy, owner of Foy Survey Co., donated professional services valued at
more than $1,800 toward the YAI preservation project.
Progressive Savings Bank, headquartered in Jamestown, Tenn., is donating
professional office space to the SYPF at the Progressive Financial Center on
Interstate Drive in Cookeville, Tenn. In addition to a beautifully furnished office, the
SYPF has use of conference and boardrooms for holding small meetings or larger
gatherings. This donation is valued at more than $6,000 per year.
Support from Potter’s Ace Hardware, with corporate offices in Fentress
County, Tenn., coupled with a financial gift from a SYPF Board member, helped York General Store to acquire an upright freezer necessary for efficient store operations.
The Ned Ray McWherter Foundation, as well as numerous individuals and several businesses made financial contributions during 2009 that helped with the projects and events sponsored by the Foundation.
Many Fentress County and Tennessee Upper Cumberland businesses and individuals supported the Sgt. York Day activities in October 2009 by donating money and supplies, sponsoring prizes for the student art contests and senior citizen writing competition.
STABILIZATION WORK COMPLETE ON OLD YAI BUILDING:
December 30, 2009-Fentress Courier
The stabilization and remediation project at the old York Institute administration building has been completed, and last week a contingent of supporters from across the Upper Cumberland area joined with members of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, area elected officials, and other entities involved in the project for a walk-through of the building. Many expressed surprise and all were impressed at the soundness of the structure now that the stabilization process has been completed, which will allow the building to be “mothballed” until additional funds are raised to complete the renovation process to return the building to use as an educational facility and preserve the educational legacy of Sgt. Alvin C. York.
Shown above, following the walk-through, are left to right: George Halford, President, Cookeville-Putnam Chamber of Commerce; Brian Foster, WASCO, Inc., construction general contractor; Orbin Logan, Walter Page, Executive Director, Fentress Co. Chamber of Commerce; Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director, Tennessee Historical Commission; Lincoln Davis, U.S. House of Representatives; Shawn Gallant, Manager of Eastern Operations for WASCO, Inc.; CW3 Bruce Catlett, Senior Army Instructor, Alvin C. York Institute; Michael Birdwell, SYPF Board Member, York Archivist, and TTU History Professor; John B. Mullinix, Fentress County Executive and SYPF board member; Karen Brown, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development, Three-Star Program; Calvin Dickinson, Tennessee Historical Commission Board Member and retired TTU History Professor; Gaye Cooper, Field Representative for State Representative John Mark Windle; Dan Brown, Executive Director, Tennessee Preservation Trust; Rod Foy, Foy Survey Co, who donated the survey for the project; Barbara Novovitch, Journalist, whose father was superintendent of York in the 1960s; Leta Wildasin, Office Manager, Tennessee Preservation Trust; J.H. Graham, Mayor, City of Crossville; John Robbins, Field Representative for Congressman Lincoln Davis; Lou Lattanzi, SYPF Board Member; Danny Nichols, Interim York Store Manager; and Claudia Johnson-Nichols, Executive Director, Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation.
Armchair General-September 2, 2009
ACG Editor’s Note: We have received a press release from the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation and thought it important enough to pass along. We urge our Armchair General magazine readers and ACG website visitors to help this worthy effort to “Save Our History” by supporting Sgt. York’s selfless legacy. We have also been reporting on the efforts by Col. Doug Mastriano and the Sgt. York Discovery Expedition (sgtyorkdiscovery.com), which found the site at Châtel Chéhéry, France, of York’s October 1918 Medal of Honor combat action and the group’s construction and dedication of the Sgt. York Discovery Trail which includes the Weider Family Park (donated by ACG publisher, Eric Weider, and his father, the late Ben Weider). For more on York’s World War I exploits and how the Sgt. York Discovery Expedition found the October 1918 combat action site, see Battlefield Detective, “Sergeant York Fought Here,” in the July 2007 issue of ACG magazine. (read article)
Christie Cookie is giving away cash to non-profits
that receive the most votes! Simply go to this link http://ilovechristiecookies.com/contest/form.asp and vote for your
favorite state parks friends group. First prize is $10,000 for the
organization with the most nominations! Once your done voting, pass the
contest along to your friends and family so they can participate too.
The more people we tell, the more votes our groups are likely to get.
The contest is national and so we have some huge competition.
Please consider voting for Sgt York Patriotic Foundation
Thank you in advance for voting and supporting our TN state parks.
Robin Peeler, Park Manager
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Area
Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Area
1300 Cordell Hull Memorial Dr., Byrdstown, TN 38549 Robin.Wooten@tn.gov
931-864-3247 office • 931-864-6389 fax • 931-239-0065 cell
Ornament raises funds for York Institute Revitalization
The historic York Agricultural Institute building in Jamestown, Tenn., is depicted in a limited-edition pewter ornament created exclusively for sale by the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation.
The ornaments will be available as long as supplies last at the York General Store in Pall Mall, at Sgt. York Day on Oct. 17, online, from foundation board members and at various businesses in Jamestown, according to Darlene Davis, chairman of SYPF’s fundraising committee.
“We hope the ornament will spark memories in former students who have a soft spot in their hearts for the old school,” Davis said.
Davis said that all proceeds from sale of the $15 work of art go directly into the YAI restoration. These funds will help the Foundation in meeting its goals to match a $500,000 dollar-for-dollar grant from the State of Tennessee earmarked exclusively for remediation and stabilization of the 1920s era building.
“This portion of construction is near completion,” Davis explained, adding that the SYPF is continuing aggressively to raise funding. “We do not just want to preserve the building; we want to work with York Institute to revitalize it into a viable space for expansion of the York Institute complex.”
To create the ornament Davis tapped the talents of artist Ben Cordsen, owner of Colorado-based Cordsen Design Studio, who created a similar ornament depicting the clock tower of the Fentress County Courthouse.
“Alvin York's lasting legacy for Tennessee was previously unknown to me,” Cordsen said. “Through the research of subjects for sculpture I have gained a better understanding of people, events and circumstances beyond my own experience. Sgt York was certainly a figure to emulate.”
Cordsen said that several photographs of the present building as well as older ones showing the original configuration and layout were sent to him by Davis.
“The best loved and remembered scene was the main building with both wings viewed through the stand of trees behind the York Institute letters on the low berm towards to the road,” Cordsen observed from his research, and Davis agreed.
“After a lengthy discussion with Ben and other board members of the Foundation about whether to include the trees, it was decided to do so,” Davis said. “For the hundreds of students that attended school in the old building and the community, this has consistently been the view from the road of the letters, trees and building.”
With the design approved, Cordsen created the model, hand carved in sculpting wax.
“Once I was satisfied with the look, a mold was created from casting rubber and the first pewter ornaments were poured from this mold,” Cordsen said. “Production in quantity was done in a second mold using spin cast techniques for high detail.”
Cordsen has been a full-time sculptor since the early 1970s and has cast pewter in his own foundry more than 25 years.
“The metal I used for the keepsake ornament is fine, lead free pewter that is easy to work, very durable and gives a soft antique finish when completed,” Cordsen said. “The casting temperature is 600°.”
Each ornament is hand finished in the Cordsen family studio, buffed and lacquer sealed with a hanging ribbon for display. In addition, the York Institute keepsake has been designed to stand on a shelf or tabletop without the ribbon.
“I hope the ornament depicting the York Institute will be a successful fund raiser bringing many people together in remembering the Institute and the place it has had in the community,” the artist said. “I am excited to provide the keepsake ornament for the York Institute and do my small part helping raise funds for the restoration and rededication of the York Institute building.”
For more information about the Foundation’s efforts or to purchase the ornament call
1-888-WW1-HERO (1-888-991-4376) or ORDER ONLINE.
Gatlinburg, TN- Three Certificates of Merit Honor Efforts to
Save York Institute
A year-long effort to save the historic original building of the York Institute has brought recognition to Fentress County and the Upper Cumberland.
“These awards honor those working to protect and advance Tennessee’s unique history,” said Patrick McIntyre, executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission.
The Commission recently awarded a 2009 Certificate of Merit to the Pall Mall-based nonprofit Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, recognizing the group’s ongoing efforts to save the original York Institute building established by World War I hero Alvin C. York. To rescue the structure from demolition by the state, the Foundation committed to raise funds for and oversee the stabilization and renovation of the two-story brick building used as a school for Fentress County between 1927 and 1979, when it was abandoned for a more modern structure. It has since been listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was recently elevated to “national significance” status by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Also honored with a Certificate of Merit was Fentress County Executive John B. Mullinix. The Award called Mullinix “a vocal and dedicated leader who has championed the effort to save the original York Institute building.”
“Historic preservation projects as well as work in the field of history are recognized through the program,” explained McIntyre.
In another, separate, recognition, Dr. Michael Birdwell, a professor in the history department at Tennessee State University, was singled out for his work to save York Institute and as a dedicated scholar specializing in the study of Sgt. Alvin C. York’s life.
Mullinix accepted the certificates on behalf of himself, the Foundation and Birdwell at the annual statewide meeting of Tennessee’s development districts earlier this summer in Gatlinburg.
The awards program, begun by the Tennessee Historical Commission in 1975, recognizes individuals or groups throughout the state that have worked to conserve or highlight Tennessee’s cultural heritage during the past year.
For more information about the Tennessee Historical Commission and its programs visit www.tn.gov/environment/hist/. To assist with preservation of the York Institute, visit www.sgtyork.org or call 931.347.2664.
Edgewater, FL –July 15, 2009, East Volusia News Son of WWI hero raising funds to save namesake school
The Rev. George Edward York, son of WWI hero Sgt. Alvin York, speaks at Club Rio in Edgewater Tuesday..The name Sgt. Alvin York is synonymous with American military heroism. (read article)
Jamestown, TN –July 15, 2009, York Institute revitalization bringing opportunities to current and future students
The preservation of York Institute’s original building is well underway, with Phase I of the project completed in June and Phase II set to launch as soon as the building permit is issued. Preparation for ultimate renovation of the 1920’s era two-story brick building is a project of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, a Pall Mall-based nonprofit organization committed to preservation of the legacy of WWI hero Sgt. Alvin C. York.
“We are pleased to report that in addition to the historic building being preserved, current and future York Institute students benefit from our efforts,” said Claudia Johnson-Nichols, Executive Director of the Foundation. Nichols said that through the Foundation’s fundraising activities, coupled with a donation from the State of Tennessee, the building has been stabilized and is being “mothballed.”
“This gives the Foundation time to raise the funds necessary to restore the building for use as additional classrooms for York Institute,” Nichols said. “We look forward to working with the administration and staff of York Institute in achieving this goal.”
York Institute Superintendent Phil Brannon has received confirmation that the work being completed on the campus is creating a healthy, safe environment for current students. Brannon said air quality in the English building and main building has been tested by First Response and deemed to be safe and acceptable.
Further, four classrooms in the new York Institute building that have not been used because of perceived danger of collapse of a west wall of the old building have been cleared by occupancy for the upcoming school year. Brannon said the notification of permission to re-inhabit the classrooms was forwarded from the State of Tennessee to him on April 14. “It was too close to the end of school to make the move then,” Brannon explained. “The teachers are moving in now.”
Brannon also discussed the status of fence surrounding the construction site. “We have worked it out with the contractor, and the fence will be removed when the building is ready,” Brannon said, clarifying that “ready” means the walls are up, the room is on and the façade is repaired. “It may be Aug. 30 or later, but at this point I am not even concerned.”
What Brannon is concerned about is the future use of the building and the benefits it can bring to the students at York Institute. He anticipates adaptive reuse of the revitalized structure will alleviate of overcrowding through development of additional classroom space. Another possibility is a state-of-the-art computer lab and space for a utilization of new technologies that will better prepare York students for the future.
“We want to help bring these plans to fruition,” Nichols said of the York Foundation. “We have made a major commitment of time, resources and money to save this building and return it to the purpose for which Sgt. York intended it. Now is the time for the community to work together with Mr. Brannon and the Foundation to raise the necessary money quickly so the children can further benefit from the Foundation’s commitment.”
Nichols said that the project is in the process of review by the State Fire Marshall, with approval to obtain a building permit expected to be granted this week. “The building inspector assured me he is prepared to issue the Phase II building permit,” Nichols said, adding that officials from WASCO, the contracting company handing the project, are prepared to return to the site and resume construction as soon as the permit is issued.
To offer assistance in the Foundation’s fundraising efforts,
contact Claudia Johnson-Nichols at 931-347-2664.
Correll joins global effort to save,
restore school built by Sgt. York
June 22, 2009...Ward Correll of Cumberland Lake Shell Inc. has made a $100,000 commitment to ensure that the school built by WWI hero Sgt. Alvin C. York is saved from demolition.
Ward Correll (center) of Cumberland Lake Shell, Inc., received an expression of gratitude from the two surviving sons of Correll’s friend and hero, the late Sgt. Alvin C. York. Representing the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, George Edward York, right, and Andrew York, left, acknowledged Correll’s $100,000 commitment to ensure that the school built by WWI hero is saved from demolition.
The plaque presented to Correll included an original canceled check written by Sgt. York in 1933 and a photograph of York Institute, now undergoing restoration. Correll became friends with Sgt. York half a century ago and has remained a dedicated friend of York’s family and his legacy. When York’s surviving children approached Correll about helping save an historic building associated with the international WWI hero, Correll pledged his support, both moral and financial.
“We deeply appreciate Mr. Correll’s help in saving the school facility that our father worked so tirelessly to build,” said George Edward York, who, along with his brother Andrew, visited Correll in Somerset last week to deliver a progress update on preservation of the building.
For more information contact:
Claudia Johnson, Executive Director, Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation Email:sypfdirector@gmail.com Memberships, Official Correspondence and Donations:
1010 Christmas Lane, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501 Web:www.sgtyork.orgBlog: www.yorkgeneralstore.blogspot.com Phone: 931.347.2664
(P.O. Box 100, Pall Mall, Tennessee 38577)
Work on old York building
finally underway
Liz Engel Herald-Citizen Staff
JAMESTOWN (April 4, 2009)-- A lot has changed at the site of the old York Institute school building over the past several weeks. Somewhat forgotten now is the falling bricks fiasco, the stop work orders, long-winded fights about the building's future and the state's once intended plans for its demolition. Work on the school's stabilization and restoration has finally begun. And when kids return to school in the fall, conditions will be even better. A chain-link fence that is currently serving as a 50-foot barrier around the old building will be removed. Four closed classrooms located at the new York Institute, built just feet away, will be opened back up to teachers and students. "The entire north end of the building is stable," Tennessee Tech professor and York historian Michael Birdwell said. "Both ends were stabilized (with steel structures) so they can open those four classrooms back up in the fall. The overcrowding problem at the school should be solved at least for the short term." But there's still lots of work to be done. Birdwell and several officials, including fellow York historian Calvin Dickinson, members of the Tennessee Historical Commission, Upper Cumberland Development District, and Fentress County Executive John B. Mullinix, recently toured the inside of the structure -- something that many hadn't done in four years. "It really doesn't look all that much different from the way it looked four years ago in terms of deterioration," said Patrick McIntyre, executive of the historical commission. "It was a terrific opportunity to see how things were. It's such a great place, and being there I was struck by what a wonderful landmark it is." Wasco, a masonry company based out of Knoxville, has removed all the loose brick, and First Response has clean up the inside debris. All hazardous material such as bird droppings and asbestos has been removed. "There was very little asbestos," Birdwell said. "That is gone." He said stabilization should be finished around July 1. The intention is to return the building back as a school, something the citizens of Fentress County -- as well as members of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation -- fought hard for. Public sentiment around the project has reached a "wait and see" type attitude, according to Mullinix. "I'm just excited work has started. We're actually going to be able to save a national historic treasure," Mullinix said. "They've still got a lot of work to do, but we're going to finish it and it's going to be something that belongs not only to this community, but the entire state and the entire nation." Sgt. Alvin C. York, often regarded as one of Tennessee's greatest war heroes, established York Institute in 1926. The old school has been closed off to students for more than 20 years, but the building has continued in a state of despair ever since. The state stepped in January 2008 with plans for demolition, setting in motion a more than year-long saga to save it. After the initial stabilization and mothballing is complete, the building will be ready for restoration. That step of the project could take several years. It's expected the entire renovation will cost in the $4 million range. Grants are currently being pursued. "We're working with the foundation on any and all funding opportunities," McIntyre said. The Tennessee Historical Commission has already awarded a more than $26,000 grant which was prepared by Ross-Bryan for the building's engineering study. Another $8,000 donation was recently pledged by the Next Generation Underwriters, a risk management and insurance company based in Hendersonville, which will pay for the insurance that was needed for the construction to begin. To help raise even more money for the cause, there is also a July summer fundraiser in the works. Although details are still hazy, Birdwell said, but the event will include music, a silent auction and a sit-down dinner priced at $100 a couple and $65 for a single. Proceeds from that event will help the Sgt. York Foundation in its restoration efforts.
Stabilization Process Underway
JAMESTOWN, TN (April 8, 2009)-Work is now underway to stabilize the old York Institute building. Shown during a visit to the building last week are, left to right: TTU Professor and York Historian Michael Birdwell, historic preservation planner Randy Williams, and George Edward York, son of the late World War I hero who founded the school in 1926.
Much of the front entrance facade of the old York Institute building has now been removed, as well as a portion of the roof, as stabilization work continues on the 80-year-old structure. A steel framework has been erected on the north addition, the area which had sustained the most deterioration, as will be done on the south addition, which is adjacent to the current school building. Once the stabilization work is done, the building is “scabbed in” and sealed to prevent further deterioration until the actual renovation begins sometime in the future.
OLD YORK BUILDING IS SAVED!
AGREEMENT PAVES WAY FOR BUILDING PERMIT TO STABILIZE OLD BUILDING
Jamestown, TN –After more than a year of wrangling among various players in the saga of what to do with the old York Institute Administration building, an agreement has been reached which will allow the old building to be stabilized.
Jamestown Building Inspector Bob Lane addressed the Jamestown City Council at their meeting Monday night, reporting that on Monday, January 5, representatives of the City of Jamestown, the State of Tennessee and the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation met at his office to discuss the future use of the historic Alvin C. York Institute building and issuance of a building permit for the stabilization and hazardous materials remediation of the building.
Present of the meeting were: Michael Birdwell, John B. Mullinix and Darlene Davis of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation; Mayor Gwenith Duncan, Alderman Dale Hicks and Building Inspector Bob Lane of the City of James- town; J. Alan Robertson, A.L.A., Assistant State Architect, State of Tennessee; Phillip D. Brannon, Director, Director, Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute; and H. Lee Barfield II and Brian M. Dobbs, attorneys for Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future use of the Building after renovation is complete. It is the intent of the Tennessee Department of Education, the Director of Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute, the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation and the City of Jamestown to use the Building for classrooms and other educational purposes for the York Institute.
Lane presented the council with a copy of the letter signed by all those attending, along with Robert W. Green of the State Department of Education, asking that the letter be made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Lane then told the council: "We came to an agreement as to what to do with the building, and that agreement is:
*That the building will be saved.
*It will be stabilized and put back in the dry.
"Then the State of Tennessee is going to get on board," Lane added. "The building is going to be rehabbed and again used as a school, which I think is the intention of the building all along.
"Mr. Phil Brannon, YAI Superintendent, was in agreement, and will be involved with the engineering of the building when we get to that part of it."
"I think we made a good deal in good conscience with the State of Tennessee, the York Patriotic Foundation and the City of Jamestown," Lane continued. "The county and city are in bad need of the classrooms. This will resolve that, as well as preserve the historic value of this landmark.
"We’re announcing at this time that we’ve come to this agreement, and we’re asking the council to ratify the deal with a motion, second, and vote." Lane then said.
The Council then approved the motion unanimously on a motion by Keith Conatser, seconded by Dale Hicks.
Lane was then asked about the timetable for getting the stabilization work done, and he said that there was 32 weeks for the stabilization, cleanup, and putting the building back into the dry, and then the State of Tennessee would get involved and go back to the original contract of approximately 4 years to complete the rehabilitation.
Following the vote, Lane expressed his appreciation to the council, stating:
"I want to thank this council. When we first started this, we were getting complaint after complaint about the situation out there, from bricks falling to the large number of pigeons-- problem after problem, and parents being concerned, as they should be.
"That’s all resolved in this agreement, if they can go in there and get something done fast. I think the fact the Council stuck together and everyone willing to work together had a big part in getting this resolved. I think there was some misinformation on the start of it. I was told several different things, as you were, but I think we’ve made a good deal in good conscience, and this should be a plus for everyone in Jamestown. I just want to thank the council for their support. If we had not been as adamant as we were, I don’t think this could have happened. I think they realized that we were going to use whatever means we had at our disposal, and the building could have fallen during that time. I think this was probably the best thing we could have done."
Lane was asked how to get rid of the pigeons, and he said he felt that once the building was sealed up where they couldn’t get in, they would probably leave, because they want a dry place to roost. "If they don’t leave, we’ll have to do something else to get rid of them," he said.
County Executive John B. Mullinix then addressed the council, thanking them for allowing the stabilization process to begin, stating: "We’ve saved a national landmark. I thank everyone, the City of Jamestown, Supt. Phil Brannon, the State of Tennessee, and everyone involved. This is something we can all be proud of."
York Building Saved From Demolition
Agreement between the State and Building Supporters
Announced Today
Nashville, TN – The campaign to save the original York Institute building reached a major milestone today when the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation signed an agreement with the State of Tennessee to save the building from demolition.
The agreement was the result of a six-month campaign by the children of Sgt. Alvin York, the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, Veterans’ organizations, historical societies, corporations and concerned citizens from across the state and nation to save the building, which had been targeted for demolition by the Tennessee Department of Education. The preservation effort received strong political support from U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis and State Representative Henry Fincher along with various other members of both the State Senate and House.
The original York Institute building was the first secondary school for children in Fentress County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school was built through the efforts of World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York, and was recently listed as one of the top ten Tennessee historical sites most in need of preservation by the Tennessee Preservation Trust. (see report)
Under the terms of today’s agreement, the State will transfer title to the historic building along with the land upon which it sits to the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation who will oversee its stabilization and preservation. The State will also grant to the Foundation $500,000 that had been budgeted for the building’s demolition. The Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation is committed to paying the costs above $500,000 for the stabilization and preservation of the building. Once it has been stabilized and preserved, the Foundation will work closely with the State in establishing a plan that will best utilize the historic building.
Details of the agreement will be discussed at a press conference to be held at Legislative Plaza in Room 29 at 4:00 pm this afternoon. Lee Barfield, attorney for the York family and the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, along with State Architect Mike Fitts, representing the State of Tennessee, will answer all questions concerning this agreement.
A Major victory for the preservation of Y.A.I.
Foundation has a chance to save York building
From Staff Reports (Friday, July 11, 2008)
NASHVILLE -- The fate of the historic public high school built in Jamestown by war hero Sgt. Alvin C. York is now in the hands of Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation. On Thursday, the executive subcommittee for the state building commission offered the old York Institute building and the property it sits on in Fentress County to the Foundation, which could ultimately save the structure from being torn down.
"They essentially made the same offer to the Foundation that they made to the county," said York historian and Foundation member Michael Birdwell. "The county was in no way to take over the building."
There was a recent effort by the state to give the old school building back to Fentress County, but that was unanimously rejected by its county commissioners.
In the latest proposal, the Foundation would assume responsibility for stabilizing and restoring the building, which could cost millions. The Foundation has until 4:30 p.m. on Monday to decide whether to accept the executive subcommittee's offer.
"The Foundation can go out and get grants and things of that nature," Birdwell told the Herald-Citizen. "We will have an agreement in place by 4:30 p.m. on Monday so we can move forward in stabilizing the building so that school can start on time without any interruptions. Then we will have time to work out a plan on how to creatively use the building."
A decision on whether to restore or demolish the old school, which has been closed off to students for more than 20 years, has been debated since early January, when the same building commission called for its emergency demolition after an engineering report said it was in such bad shape it might collapse.
Students at the new high school, built only feet away, were relocated from several close-by classrooms, and a fence was placed around the old school's exterior.
"It's critically important that we save historic buildings if we have the opportunity," said State Representative Henry Fincher, who made a passionate plea to the executive subcommittee on behalf of saving the building. "I was glad the building commission made a reasonable offer to the York Foundation. My hat is off to the York family and all the friends of York Institute stepping up to save this building. We need to preserve history when we can and this was an excellent opportunity to do that."
The state building commission a few weeks ago approved allowing an outside licensed structural engineering company and a masonry company to inspect the building and issue a report regarding its recommendation for the structure. That report, which was released on Thursday, said the structure could be stabilized for less cost than what was initially thought.
"The experts we hired said it will take $172,000 to stabilize the building," Birdwell said.
State officials have said they would kick in $500,000 to help if the Foundation assumes responsibility. The Foundation is ready to put that money to use.
"Depending on nothing going wrong this weekend, we are in a position to save the building and move forward immediately," Birdwell explained. "WASCO, a company out of Knoxville which does nothing but stabilize buildings, can be on the ground next week shoring up the building. After we have done our fundraising, we will be able to give it back to the state of Tennessee."
It is the intention of the foundation to create an environment that will further education at Y.A.I. as well as perpetuate and preserve the legacy of Sgt. Alvin C. York.
A small victory for Sgt. York's Legacy; the fight continues on
NASHVILLE -- Faced once again with the possibility of demolition, supporters for the restoration of the original York Institute school in Jamestown gained another minor victory during a status meeting held yesterday in downtown Nashville.
Attended by officials with the Department of Education, Department of Finance and Administration, York family members and several citizens, a decision was made to possibly use funds set aside for demolition and instead use them to help stabilize the structure.
About $500,000 is said to be needed to tear the building down, but by matching funds recently raised by York supporters, that money could be redirected toward stabilization until more funds are raised.
That option would need to pass several stamps of approval, including one from Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz, who wasn't at the meeting, according to the department's assistant commissioner Charles Garrett.
"I think if we can save the building, for whatever we use it for, it is a great idea," Garrett said. "We'll do everything we can."
Garrett also didn't make any promises. If for some reason the money isn't approved to be used for stabilization -- or if the money isn't budgeted at all -- the state will have to move forward with its plans for demolition.
"I don't think I'm going to take no for an answer, but my boss is my boss," Garrett said. "And in light of the situation we're in currently, not everyone in state government is in the best humor with all the budget cuts we're having to deal with."
The state and the Department of Education had hoped to make a decision regarding the building as soon as possible, so work could begin this summer -- and before classes start in the fall. If the building stays or is in the process of restoration, portable classrooms would have to be set up next door at the site of the current high school, which is located just feet away from the original structure.
The issue is also timely because an engineering report presented in January determined the 80-year-old building to be near collapse and as posing a danger to those neighboring students.
A fence currently separates the two structures.
"All we need is $500,000," Garrett said. "I'm going to ask for $500,000, and if I can't get five, maybe I can get $350,000 to match (funds raised by York supporters), so we could stabilize it. Then they could put together a real campaign to actually restore the building. June is pretty much it if you plan to get it done."
York supporters, led by Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation member Michael Birdwell, presented up to $250,000 in pledge money, $150,000 which could be available immediately.
"It was another minor victory," Birdwell said after the meeting.
Especially since things looked so bleak in the beginning.
Garrett, who conducted the majority of the meeting, opened by saying the Department of Education was moving forward with its plans for demolition in June. A total of $5 million had been requested for a supplemental appropriation to the building, but the chance of that being approved was said to be highly unlikely.
"I don't know if (that) even stands a prayer for getting approved," Garrett said. "We'll give the budget process time to see if it is appropriated, but I am moving forward to do what is in the best interest of the Department of Education, and in their opinion, the building needs to come down."
But when the York foundation presented letters of commitment for at least $250,000 in funding, and with a promise by the executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission to pursue possible grants to help save the building, the tide toward restoration began to turn.
"We have no money obviously right now to put into the building, but we would be more than willing to facilitate a Save America's Treasures grant," said Patrick McIntyre with the THC. "Since we believe the building has national significance, which is the initial priority you need to get that funded, we would be willing to do that. But if everything is moving in the direction of demolition, we can't do that until there's some sort of commitment."
McIntyre said after the meeting that he wasn't sure how much money that federal grant could amount to. But it would take upward of $3.7 million to fully restore the structure, according to engineering reports.
And, because of the budget situation -- the state is currently looking at a $468 million deficit -- no time frame was given as to when a decision regarding the building could be made.
But either way, York supporters will be waiting eagerly. They have already been successful in delaying demolition once before, when state officials in January decided to allow them more time to raise support and money.
"From our position, if the answer is no, your hands are tied," said Dean Duke, publicist for the York family. "That doesn't mean we're going away, nor are we going to allow the building to come down. Our commitment is to make sure that this historical monument stays. That it's put back in position to be utilized for education."
Veteran's ride, rally to save YAI
Saturday, March 10th, 2008
JAMESTOWN -- Veterans statewide have now joined in the effort to save the original Alvin C. York Institute school building.
Staging a motorcycle ride from Jamestown to Nashville, somewhere around 1,000 riders, including several from the Cookeville area, were expected to gather at the state capital yesterday afternoon and rally in support of the school's restoration.
"The veteran community all across the state is just appalled that the state wants to tear that building down," said Bob Ousley, president of the Rolling Thunder Tennessee Chapter One motorcycle group that organized the ride. "That school really became his greatest life work, and that institute has done so much for the state and the building is such an important symbol."
And the group will be able to see if their efforts make a difference this Wednesday -- the state building commission's executive subcommittee is scheduled to meet then at 10 a.m. with members of the York family, local historians and other officials to finally make a decision regarding the building's fate.
The same committee delayed a decision to either restore or demolish the building down back in January in order for the parties involved to raise funds for its cause. And at its most recent meeting last month, subcommittee members were calling for $750,000 in funds to help stabilize the structure.
If not, according to the Department of Education, classes in the newer high school, located just feet away, will have to be held in portable classrooms in the fall. If the funds are not available, the request to demolish the structure will be on the subcommittee's agenda.
A Web site tally of monies collected by the Alvin C. York Patriotic Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Jamestown, totals just $1,800 in pledges and donations.
The school hasn't been used for classes in about 20 years and is currently fenced up. An engineering report has said the building is near collapse.
York, known as Tennessee' greatest war hero from WWI, dedicated his life after battle to improving education in Tennessee.
Upon his return home from France in 1919, York hired a tutor and by 1925 had raised $10,000 on his own to build his school.
"York helped dig the foundation for that school," Tennessee Tech professor Michael Birdwell said at that January subcommittee meeting. "York attended every graduation until 1954 when he had a stroke that left him debilitated. That school was his life. On two different occasions, he mortgaged his family's farm -- put his family in jeopardy -- to pay teacher's salaries. He bought the first two school buses out of his own pocket."
Wednesday's meeting could possibly bring all that to a close, but Ousley is hoping more people will take notice.
"Our protest will be kind of a last stand," he said. "This is to get the state government's attention and also get the attention of the public in Tennessee. To let them know this is a very unpopular thing they're doing. They're tarnishing the image of one of Tennessee's biggest heroes by tearing that building down."
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
The Heartland Series, featuring Bill Landry, has released a short documentary on Sgt. York and the fight to save the building.
Decision on York Institute building delayed 120 days
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
George Edward York, middle, Alvin C. York’s oldest living son, addresses the executive sub-committee of the state building commission yesterday afternoon. The sub-committee met to discuss the fate of York Institute, which some say should be demolished, and several York supporters attended the meeting to help save the building. Left is State Rep. John Mark Windle and on the right is Tennessee Tech professor and York historian Michael Birdwell. Herald-Citizen Photo/Liz Engel
NASHVILLE -- Chalk it up as a small victory for supporters of the original Alvin C. York Institute school building.
Facing possible demolition, the executive sub-committee of the State Building Commission voted yesterday to push back any decision regarding the school's fate for 120 days -- giving those involved until May to raise the support and funds that may be necessary to save their school.
For over an hour, members of the committee heard pleas from more than half a dozen York supporters who filled a State Capitol meeting room to reconsider emergency demolition in favor of restoring the more than 80-year-old structure in Jamestown, and one of Tennessee's most historic schools.
Among those supporters was Alvin C. York's oldest living son, George Edward York, who said restoring the building was something his father would have wanted.
"This is something near and dear to me," George said. "I've heard repeatedly from the mouths of people that if Sgt. York was here, he'd say away with the building. They're completely wrong. He would never say that. In fact, if my dad was living, that building would have never been in the condition it's in."
George said at one time there had been strong community support to restore the building, some 20 years ago, but that effort died after the state refused to step in and help.
"If it hadn't been for my dad, Pall Mall would have been two words on a map," he said. "I've never talked like this in all my public speaking, I sound like I'm bragging, but because of who my dad was, there's revenue coming in there that would have restored the building a long time ago."
Other supporters -- including Tennessee Tech professors Michael Birdwell and Calvin Dickinson, Alvin C. York's great-granddaughter Angela York, State Reps. John Mark Windle and Henry Fincher and Fentress County Executive John B. Mullinix -- all made statements supporting the school's renovation for the purpose of history. Perhaps the most convincing came from Birdwell, who said York's single mission was to improve the education in Tennessee, especially in his native Fentress County, from which he himself was poorly educated.
"In the letters he writes home from the war, he makes it very clear he realized he was deficient in some ways. And he realized that an education is what set him apart," Birdwell said. "Other people were more articulate, they could read better, they knew more about the world."
Upon his return home from France in 1919, Birdwell said York hired a tutor and by 1925 had raised $10,000 on his own to build his school.
"York helped dig the foundation for that school," Birdwell said. "York attended every graduation until 1954 when he had a stroke that left him debilitated. That school was his life. On two different occasions, he mortgaged his family's farm -- put his family in jeopardy -- to pay teacher's salaries. He bought the first two school buses out of his own pocket."
But the focus of the meeting continually shifted from York's legacy toward the funding needed for either restoration or demolition.
Costs for restoration are an estimated $3.7 million, and the fact that the building commission has no control over the state funding makes the issue more complex.
"I think it needs to be made clear -- this building commission doesn't have the authority to procreate money," said Secretary of State Riley Darnell. "There's not $4 million or $3 million. Those dollars don't exist today. They may materialize, but understand we are limited in what we have the authority to do."
Mark Buchanan, the engineer that wrote the report saying the original school building was near collapse, said three cost estimates ranging from $500,000 to $3.7 million were prepared for three different scenarios. One was to repair the building and bring it up to current building codes, the other to tear the building down and build a similar one in its place and the third to demolish the building completely.
"It is possible the building would collapse," Buchanan said. "That's readily apparent if you look at the outside."
Buchanan said a short-term fix would be to shore -- or give support to -- the front portion of the building that is currently in the worst shape.
"In structural engineering terms and in construction terms, we think of shoring lasting maybe weeks or months. Not years," he said. "But it was explained to us, because of the budget and the process, it takes years to get from point A to point B. We are not comfortable with a temporary shoring scheme that has to maintain the place for years."
Instead, Buchanan said, the best immediate option would be to tear down the front wall and build it back to current standards -- an option that would give the building approximately two years.
But cost overruns for restoration are expected. Original figures said $3.7 million was needed to tear the school down and rebuild at the site, but those figures could easily topple the $4 million mark, considering the need for portable classrooms next year for displaced students at the current school and the need for a future expansion at York Institute -- while there was no argument the school needs extra space, the issue is currently being studied at length.
"We are in the process of having a master plan done to determine whether or not we need additional space," Darnell said, noting the plan should be ready in six months. "At the end of that process we will have some feel if additional space is necessary, and that decision has not yet been made."
And throughout the meeting, strong opinions repeatedly surfaced over who is ultimately at fault for letting the building reach its current state. Students haven't used the old school since the 1980s, and the issue of preservation or demolition has come up before.
"The first report on the structure of that building was in 1988, and the state's done nothing at all since then," Dickinson said. "The state is at fault for not restoring that building, I think it's the state's responsibility at this point."
But Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz disagreed.
"I understand your desire to support his legacy, but I haven't heard anything from the community about what you are willing to do to help," Goetz said. "Where were you 25 years ago? The community needs to step forward. You have put this on us, and I'm not sure that's fair.
"We've been paying for the operation of that high school since its inception. How much is that on an annual basis?" he continued, referring to the fact that York Institute is the only school in Tennessee owned by the state. "We were told this building is dangerous. And if there's some way to save it, and the community's willing to drive that, that's something I guess we can consider."
With that being said, State Treasurer Dale Sims made a motion to recommend a decision be deferred for a period of 120 days, contingent on the fact interested parties come together to discuss the school's best interest.
"Hopefully in 120 days the budget will be enacted, and we'll know the level of state funding available," Sims said. "One hundred and twenty days with the expressed purpose of allowing people to partner, allow the grant writing to take place, to allow Fentress County and others to determine how they can best play a role in this." Planning for that is expected to begin immediately.
"Maybe over the last 20 years we can all agree we haven't focused on this," Sims said. "I think we now have a reason to focus."
If you are planning to visit Sgt. York's home in the Wolf River Valley of Pall Mall, Tennessee,
click link for MAP, TOUR INFORMATION, or BROCHURE.
