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Supplementary Material to an Application for a Historic Preservation Grant-in-AidFive Flags (:enter Dubuclue, Iowa In Observance & Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary or the United States of America 0 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL To An APPLICATION FOR A HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT-IN-AID United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service Office Of Archeology And Historic Preservation National Register Of Historic Places Washington, D.C. 20240 Through State Historic Preservation Officer State Of Iowa Submitted by FIVE FLAGS CENTER FUND 256 West Tenth Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 I October - 1973 in� g:lam y�� FU } <�. ` ^� ,FIVE FLAGS CENTER FUND FORWARD This material represents a supplement to the application of the Five Flags Center Fund for financial and technical assistance to restore, reconstruct and to make otherwise suitable for contemporary use a significant theater located in the City of Dubuque. The theater is representative of the transition period between the 1870's Victor- ian theater style and design and the early 19th Century playhouse which while retaining individual boxes and the Family Circle, introduced among other features, fixed, forward facing seating on both the main floor and in the balcony area. A number of interior features are reminiscent of early French music hall design. The Five Flags Center Fund in consultation with Andrew Craig Morrison, a theater architectural restoration historian, and Charles Geroux, a theater historian, has and will continue to develop for implementation a plan and program of restoration to preserve this facility and yet, simultaneously accomplish those 'items of mod- ernization and renovation imperative to assure that the theater structure will ac- commodate the widest range of activities and events that size will permit. The honesty of the exterior of the theater will be maintained as originally designed and constructed. The integrity of the interior will also be honored. The enclosed documentation sets forth the general specifications for work items required to 1. Meet the requirements of building, fire and life safety codes applicable to this structure as concurred in by building and fire prevention officials, 2. Restore and/or otherwise renovate and modernize as the occasion may require the exterior and interior of the structure, and 3. Provide a new addition in which to locate and house certain elements essential for the full use of the theater structure. Detailed plans and specifications are yet to be fully prepared for the total Five Flags Center Fund project. That portion of such material covering the restoration of the exterior of the theater and the construction of the new addition will be com- pleted in late November for advertising in the early spring of 1974. The balance of the material covering the theater interior requires further input from the consul- tants previously identified, and the determination of a funding level/s to develop a phased construction schedule to accommodate in a logical manner all of the work required to be performed. - "-Photographs and other recognized and acceptable methods of identification and verification shall be utilized to assure the authenticity of restoration work. All interior decorative plaster and metal work as originally designed will be dupli- cated in those areas where the original material has deteriorated or has been otherwise replaced. Replacement of exterior ornamentation shall be accomplished in this same manner. Fabrics and paints as to color and texture will be researched to duplicate original installation. The Five Flags Center Project includes the restoration of an existing theater and the construction of a Promenade and Exhibition -Arts building. The Promenade provides a multi -purpose addition in which will be housed a fire stair tower serv- ing the theater, work areas and public rest rooms to support theater activities, a gathering place for visitors and a unique multi -media center. In severalinstanc- es a single piece of equipment will be installed to serve jointly the restored thea- ter, the Promenade and the Exhibition -Arts building in lieu of installing smaller units to separately serve each facility. These installations will reflect a conser- vation of space, a reduction of construction costs and a decrease in maintenance expense. In such instances a pro -ration of the capacity of the equipment allo- cated to the theater will be determined for cost control. In general approximate- ly one-third of the rated capacity of all such equipment so installed will be thea- ter related. All of the mechanical equipment in the theater that is.to be replaced is either obsolete and/or unsafe in its present condition. It is recognized and acknowledged that the plans and specifications relating to the scope of work contemplated by this application are subject to review and agreement by the Office of the Iowa State Historic Preservation Officer. Included as an addendum to this documentation is a description of the theater as provided by Andrew Craig Morrison. The purpose of including this material is to provide the reviewing authorities a copy of the material which delineates in part a guide used in developing the plan of restoration and to be followed in the imple- mentation of actual restoration work. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Theater Exterior All masonry work is to be tuck -pointed, cleaned and sealed after damaged brick and stonework are matched and replaced. The sheet metal cornice with the integral dentils, block modiilions and the high paneled frieze directly above shall be cleaned and checked for damage. Where necessary, they shall be replaced with new panels made from molds, forms or patterns formed from the originals. All sheet metal work shall be back flashed and primed. All joints shall be sealed to insure water -tightness. The corner detail at the north face of the northeast corner shall duplicate the treatment of the opposite front corner. This includes the stone base, brick quoins above and below the stone water table and capped with the sheet metal cornice and frieze and scrolled brackets. I The high paneled mansard treatment with the ceramic tile facing shall be re- paired, cleaned and made watertight. The end bay at the north side with the met- al cap shall duplicate the treatment of the south wall. The parapet between this bay and the high loft area above the stage shall be raised sufficiently to allow for adequate flashing at the roof line. A new cap shall be provided. The existing roof shall be replaced and properly flashed and counter -flashed at all openings, parapets and changes in roof level. The sub roof structure shall be checked for water damage and replaced as required. All dormers shall be examined for damages and leakage and replaced or repaired as required. They shall be cleaned, reprimed and repainted with two coats of enamel. All block glass windows above the first floor shall be replaced with small panes of glass in metal frame and muntins. The two large first floor windows on both sides of the main entrance shall be re- placed without the doors. The lower portion of these windows shall be a single pane of glass and the upper transom area will be subdivided into small panes hav- ing the character of the windows above the first floor. The vertical Orpheum sign and supporting members together with the marquee shall be removed, and replaced with a smaller but ornamental metal canopy of a scale consistent with the treatment of the front facade. The new marquee shall be a duplicate to the extent possible of the original installation as viewed from pho- tographs and the architectural rendering of the total theater at the time of design. The box office and applied facing covering the brick pilasters which house the poster displays shall be removed. The existing entrance doors straddling the box office shall be replaced with a series of doors across the total center bay as orig- inally provided. A new box office shall be incorporated within an enlarged lobby. Auditorium Metal lath and plaster will be used on walls, ceilings, balcony railings and other surfaces to patch existing dama-ged-surfaces and ornamentations and other areas damaged to accommodate new mechanical duct work, piping, electrical fix- tures, conduits and alarm systems. The repair and replacement of decorative plastering and sheet metal work will be duplicate of original work. All decora- tive painting will be as require8 to restore the auditorium to its original condi- tion. All painted walls and the ceiling will be examined for evidence of mure.ls or other special decorations. These will be evaluated for restoration on an individual basis if any are so uncovered. The existing fabric floor covering will be replaced with carpeting having a flame spread rating of 75 or less. Balcony box curtains and upholstery material on seats will be treated with flame retardant chemicals. The abandoned orchestra pit will be restored in a modified and enlarged form to permit a greater diversity of use. The pit or platform will be hydraulically oper- ated to serve as a sunken orchestra pit cr raised to the level of the stage to serve as a fore stage or an extension of the stage to accommodate a full complement of a symphony orchestra. This will require the removal of three rows of auditorium seating. A number of the present house lights will be replaced with fixtures as originally installed in the auditorium. Balconies The upper balcony (Family Circle) will be reactivated by removing the temporary partition and all damaged items repaired and all surfaces refinished. A sprinkler system will be installed in this area to compensate for the wood construction. The existing stairway leading directly to the outside from the rear of this upper balcony will have its --nclosing walls remodeled to provide a two hour separation. The doors leading into the stair tower shall be "B" label. At the rear of the main balcony (Dress Circle) behind the projection room, a vestibule will be provided to lead into the stair tower for egress from this level. Exits will be provided along the north wall at each balcony level through new wall openings equipped with "A" label doors leading to horizontal exits that in turn lead to a stair tower that exits directly to the outside, i Approved panic hardware will be installed on the existing exit doors at the south side of the building. The fire escapes on the south wall will be placed in oper- able condition. All seating will be refurbished and the fabric duplicated from the original instal- lation and treated with flame retardant chemicals. Guard rails protecting termination of descending stairs in the upper balcony will be installed not less than 36 inchesabove the floor level. Seat cushions or backs will be provided for the high back bench seating located in this balcony area.. Motion Picture Projection Room' The projection room will be reconstructed and enlarged to include the installa- tion of sanitary facilities and space for stage lighting equipment. Stage The grid irons, fly galleries and pin rails will be constructed of noncombustible materials designed to support not less than 75 pounds per square foot. The proscenium wall separating the auditorium and stage will be of two hour noncom- bustible construction. A portion of the stage floor in this area will also be re- placed with noncombustible material. The openings in the proscenium wall and stage will be protected by a fire assembly curtain with a one and a half hour fire resistive rating. The main pros cenium opening will be provided with a self - closing fire resistive curtain. The stage will be equipped with a ventilator operated from the stage floor by hand. The ventilator will also be operable by fusible links or by an automatic heat and/or smoke activated device. The stage will be provided with a fire control station with the following equipment. Telltale lights Sprinkler system valve indicators Public address system Alarm system which will not sound an alarm audible in the audience or seating portion of the theater The motion picture screen will be rehung on a lightweight metal frame designed to be lifted back and up to permit the use of the total stage for other activities. The entire stage area will be sprinkled. _-Lobby The existing concession stand walls, box office and walls of shop areas will be removed and metal lath and plaster will be used to patch existing surfaces and ornamentation. A new box office will be installed in this enlarged lobby. The present carpeting will be replaced with material having an approved flame spread rating. Existing doors and frames will be restored to their original con- dition. The wood partition in the mezzanine arch overlooking the lobby will be removed and the arch restored as originally constructed. Dressing Room Area The dressing room area will be remodeled and rebuilt for contemporary use by replacing existing partitions and sanitary facilities. The exterior of the existing stairway to the stage area will be rebuilt and enclosed with a "B" label door, and a second exit with an "A" label door will be installed through the north wall into a stair hall located in the lowe'r level of the Promenade. The boiler room will be isolated from the dressing room area with two hour minimum construction. The accessibility to the existing prompter's box will be improved. An approved sprinkling system will be installed throughout the total basement area including the front basement space utilized for miscellaneous storage. Electrical System The existing obsolete single phase service presently serving the theater will be replaced by a new 480/277 volt 100 ampere service for the restored theater, the Promenade and the new Exhibition -Arts Center. The present rigid conduit runs are suitable for rewiring with modern insulated wire to replace the rubber -covered cable which is badly aged. Approximately one-third of the new electrical service is attributable to the theater. A 50 kilowatt natural gas generator will be installed to provide emergency light- ing, and a separate exit lighting service will be installed to meet specific life safety requirements. Approximately one-third of this generator is also attribut- able to theater use. The stage switchboard will be upgraded. Heating System A 150 horsepower low pressure zoned controlled, two pipe steam system will be installed in the lower level of the Promenade to replace the present obsolete and aged cast iron sectional boiler. The new boiler will be gas -oil dual fuel fired, with an'eight or ten thousand gallon underground oil storage tank to be placed in the service road located at the rear of the theater. The present piping evidencing leakage and numerous repairs will be replaced. It is estimated that the equiva- lent of a 40 horsepower boiler would be required for theater use. Air Conditioning System Air conditioning will be provided by use of roof -mounted air handling units or a 60 ton central chiller using the existing well for cooling to replace the present air handling system comprised of a well water cooling coil, a 100% outdoor air intake, a bank of filters and a forward curved fan. The present fiber board duct work will be replaced with fire resistive material. Both the well equipment and the well appear to be in satisfactory condition with an adequate flow of water. Plumbing All plumbing fixtures will be replaced, and an enlarged public rest room will be incorporated in the Promenade. The domestic hot water heater will be replaced and water bubblers will be installed as required. All of the water supply piping will be replaced. Ventilation Ventilation will be provided by a 50 kilowatt generator to be located in a fire- proof structure in the adjoining Promenade. It is estimated that a generator with approximately one-third of this capacity would be required for theater use only. Fire Exits A Class A fire tower with approved exit doors to each theater level and termi- nating on the ground floor on the exterior will be installed as a part of the Prom- enade on the north side of the theater. The present south exterior fire escape including exit doors on all levels on the south side of the theater will be placed in operating condition. Two additional doors from the first floor of the theater to the Promenade will be installed in the theater north wall. All present inter- ior stairs will be retained and recarpeted with fire resistive material. The placement of the new fire tower in the Promenade will be accomplished at less costthan installing such a stair tower in the existing theater building. More importantly, the theater interior will not be disturbed for this purpose. ADDENDUM Description of the Orpheum Theatre The Orpheum Theatre is a rectangular building which occupies the entire lot at the northwest corner of Main and Fourth Streets. The principal facade, facing Main Street, is three and one half stories high. It is of red brick and is divided into three bays which are defined by vertical bands of yellow brick laid so as to give the effect of ashlar block piers. At the first floor level the outer bays con- tain metal and glass storefronts set within low segmental arches of yellow brick treated as ashlar voussoirs. The central bay originally contained a series of en- trance doors beneath a segmental -arched marquee of metal and glass which was in turn set within a large stoned -framed semicircular- arch. The entryway has been altered to incorporate an exterior box office and a marquee of later type. The central entry arch extends into the second story. To either side of it is a wide horizontal stone band treated as a parapet. In the center of each side bay this is brought forward as a shallow.balcony. To either side of the central arch this feature supports a series of four ornamental metal light standards. Above each balcony is a large window topped by a segmental -arched panel and hood mould. To either side of each window is a narrow limestone band extending up- ward to the cornice. The third story contains a stone -framed square window in each outer bay and a round window topped by a bound -leaf garland in the central bay. The third story is crowned by a sheet metal cornice which.incorporates both dentils and block mo- dillions. The cornice is supported by pairs of scrolled brackets at the pier lines and simpler brackets to either side of each window. Above the cornice is a high paneled sheet metal parapet and above it a high convex mansard roof of ceramic tile. The mansard faces forward only. In each bay it contains an elaborately framed dormer and the central bay is broken slightly forward to give a pavilion effect. This feature is topped by an ornamental metal cresting with scrolled cor- ner cartouches. The south (Fourth Street) elevation is of lesser architectural character, constructed of red brick with ornamental banding of yellow brick and limestone. The remain- ing facades are of common red brick, unornamented. The principal interior spaces are the lobby and the auditorium. The lobby is ap- proximately square with a high, wide barrel vaulted ceiling richly ornamented with floral rope moldings. The auditorium is rectangular in shape with a partially domed, partially flat ceiling. The room is highly ornamental character, detailed as an adaptation of the French Renaissance style. The proscenium arch with its central cartouche, box enframements and balcony fasciae are particularly notable. There are two tiers of proscenium boxes and three balconies. The lowest balcony is treated as a horseshoe -shaped ring of eleven boxes, the center balcony as a standard theatre balcony and the upper level as a family circle with separate street entrance and high-backed wooden benches. The theatre contains a full working stage and originally had an orchestra pit. The total seating capacity is close to 1000 persons. Source: Andrew Craig Morrison, September 26, 1972 0 qw z I m I c 0 ,NTEN/,V/.9� cc Z LQ o j ^ O a ate ' I Vol a� cu ; y a� U