Awards of Excellence:

Liberty MD

Located within the Emporia Downtown Historic District, 708 Commercial Street was a non-contributor when the project began with an estimated construction date of 1915. This one-part commercial block featured a non-historic aluminum-framed storefront system comprised of a four-part display window resting on a bulkhead clad with painted wood and plastic, a flush full-light entrance door at the north end, and a storefront transom opening covered with plastic panels. The second door provided egress from the basement.

The upper façade wall had a non-original stucco cladding over wood framing. A non-historic decorative paired arch frame element was applied to the upper façade wall. In January of 2022, on the upper façade wall, the stucco clad wood framed element was removed to reveal the original brick façade with an exposed steel beam showing the historic character defining features. The process of changing is status from non-contributor to contributor was initiated at this point.

As part of the remodel project, the aluminum storefront system was removed and an appropriate storefront system was installed with transom glass. New mechanical, plumbing and electrical were also within the scope of work to transform the former gun shop into exam rooms. The front entry vestibule and waiting area were taken to the original height of the space. The project meets the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and is a Federal and State Historic Tax Credit Project.

Two original windows remained and these were used to create the custom windows for the project. A non-historic first floor storefront was removed, and an appropriate storefront system was installed.