BROOKINGS The Brookings Historic Preservation Commission is recognizing several people and organizations for restoration and stewardship of their properties in 2024.
They will be honored by Mayor Oepke Ope Niemeyer and the BHPC at the annual Mayors Awards and Holiday Celebration event on Dec. 4 at the Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with the awards program starting at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
For the Excellence in Restoration Award, the recipients are:
- Helen Jones Trust for 315 Main Ave.
- Jacks Entertainment (owners Todd Voss and Bob Winter) for 327 Main Ave.
- City of Brookings Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department for the Pioneer Park Bandshell, Sixth Street and First Avenue
- South Dakota State University Foundation and SDSU Facilities and Services for the Coughlin Campanile, Medary Avenue
For the Stewardship Award, the recipients are:
- Tim Byrne and Holly Tilton Byrne, 723 Harvey Dunn St.
The Excellence in Restoration Award recognizes exemplary restoration of historic structures. An accurate restoration project depicts the form, features and character of an historic building as it appeared at a particular period of time. Restoration requires sensitive upgrading of mechanical systems and other code-required work to make the site functional.
The Stewardship Award recognizes those who have ensured the preservation of historic properties through long-term care and maintenance, stabilization, protection, or continuous family ownership.
Details about each property follow.
Helen Jones Trust, 315 Main Ave. (Excellence in Restoration)
Originally built in 1910, the building at 315 Main Ave. saw two additions toward the alley over time. The property owners eventually recognized extensive renovation to both floors of the interior, plus improvements to the exterior building envelope, were needed to generate tenant interest. In 2023, they started the process.
They worked with Working Hands, a local contractor specializing in historic rehabilitation in Brookings, for selective demolition, and with Ucity Property Managements in-house construction crew for new construction of the interior.
Several main components of the renovation work are of note. The upper story received new windows to meet building occupancy codes and improve thermal performance. The entire 150-lineal-foot depth of the building received a new roofing system, as well as new gutters toward the alley.
The existing second-story wooden floor required joist repair; a structural engineers input identified a creative solution to remedy the six-inch deflection at certain points. All of this led to the creation of two attractive dwelling units on the second floor, one facing the alley and the other facing Main Avenue.
Jacks Entertainment (owners Todd Voss and Bob Winter), 327 Main Ave. (Excellence in Restoration)
Formerly the Ram Pub, the Bank Saloon and The Vault now occupy 327 Main Ave., an historic cornerstone building in downtown Brookings.
In tandem with the interior renovation for the new business operations, the ownership group recognized that in order attract and broaden the customer base, serious work had to be put into the exterior of the building, which was home to a couple different banks prior to its Ram Pub years.
The primary exterior improvements were removal of the green window boarding and replacement of historic wood sash windows with new thermally broken aluminum storefront framing systems, replacement of the old fabric basement entrance canopy with a safer rigid system, and gentle masonry cleaning of the historic limestone base of the building.
The owners worked with a local architect to identify the important features and massing of the renovation. Of note are the windows. The owners wanted fixed windows and window tinting, neither of which are historic qualities of the original windows. The design team identified, with the local Historic Commission, a compromising middle-ground in tinting value and also suggested the implementation of wider mullions between window panes to better match the original window framing and wood buck around the exterior of the openings. Mullion placement and original wall opening dimensions were kept intact.
An interesting detail of the renovation project is a leaded glass window within the former OHares, now The Vault entrance canopy. The roof of this stair enclosure is raised above the window to protect the historic leaded window from further damage.
Brookings Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, Pioneer Bandshell (Excellence in Restoration)
Originally designed by Lincoln, Neb., architect and former Brookings resident, Albert Pugsley, the Pioneer Park Bandshell was constructed in 1936 with funding from the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The City of Brookings maintains impressive records of correspondence during the initial construction. The recent restoration project detailing was drawn by designArc Group of Brookings, with construction restoration efforts led by Clark Drew Construction.
The restoration included selective stucco replacement around the perimeter of the facility, a fresh coat of paint, and construction of an improved stair and access ramp to the stage along with new handrails to promote better accessibility to the facility. The stage floor was provided a larger scupper opening to promote better drainage.
During the restoration, the actual appearance of the original 1936 front bandshell retaining wall was discovered behind the non-original brick. With some creative concrete forming, the work was modified to restore the original faade and its unique scalloped detailing with a new plaster finish. Care was given to protect the existing tuning forks flanking the stage and other Art Deco detailing from any damage during restoration.
The Pioneer Park Bandshell is a physical reminder of the unprecedented use of government aid to construct community improvements and help the depressed local economy. As a public property, it was intended to enhance the social and recreational activities of Brookings and the surrounding area.
After the restoration was complete, the City of Brookings rededicated the Pioneer Park Bandshell on July 7 during the Brookings Area Community Bands 40th anniversary celebration and performance to recognize the bandshells preservation and its continued service to the community.
South Dakota State University, Coughlin Campanile (Excellence in Restoration)
The fourth 2024 Mayors Award for Excellence in Restoration is presented to the South Dakota State University Foundation and the SDSU Facilities and Services for masonry restoration of the Coughlin Campanile. The Campanile, the universitys iconic landmark, was built in 1929 at a cost of $75,000. The chimes tower was a gift from 1909 electrical engineering alumnus Charles Coughlin.
A speaker replaced the chimes in July 1995. The Campanile rings out the time on the hour and plays music during the 10-minute period between classes.
The tower of Indiana white limestone, red brick and concrete took 320,000 bricks to build. It received a $600,000 full restoration in 2001.
Current restoration work is being performed by American Masonry Restoration of Fridley, Minn., a regional specialist in historic masonry restoration. Along with normal tuckpointing, masonry cleaning, washing and sealing, the project also called for selective brick replacement at certain areas.
The Coughlin Campanile was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Tim Byrne & Holly Tilton Byrne, 723 Harvey Dunn St. (Stewardship)
The 2024 Mayors Award for Stewardship is awarded to Tim Byrne and Holly Tilton Byrne for the addition of a roofed patio to their 1947 landmark raised-basement house at 723 Harvey Dunn St. The enclosure of the raised patio served two purposes: It solved a leakage problem in the basement entryway and created new living space for the family. Shaded and protected from the rain, it is fully furnished to accommodate dining, visiting and relaxation.
Taking a good part of a year and using quality materials, Tim, himself a construction professional, did all the work. He noted: The covered porch is 16 feet by 24 feet and consists of all cedar rough-sawn lumber for structural components, including three 6-inch-by-6-inch posts and one 4-inch-by-24-foot beam. Roof joists are 2-by-12 cedar rough-sawn with 1.5-inch-thick pine tongue and groove boards for decking.
Decorative black Simpson hangers, including post bases, saddle straps from post to beam and hidden fastener hangers for joists, were used throughout the project. Architectural asphalt shingles matched the existing house. The railing was original to the house.
About the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
The Brookings Historic Preservation Commission is a city government commission whose purpose is to promote the inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of the citizens of Brookings and to identify, document, preserve, promote, and develop the historical resources of the city. The powers and responsibilities of the commission are set forth in SDCL 1-19B and city of Brookings Ordinance Section 46. The members of the commission are volunteers who are appointed by the mayor with consent of the City Council. Biographies of Commission members are on file with the city clerk for public viewing.
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