MOUNT VERNON — An improvement effort underway at the Knox County Service Center will add security and safety at the East Chestnut Street entrance.
Designs call for enclosing the loading dock and adding a vestibule with a double set of glass doors.
“We’ve talked about this for years as we’ve talked about beautification,” said County Administrator Jason Booth. “In a lot of ways, it’s the main public entrance because the front entrance has the steep steps. There’s no way to make the front more accessible without changing the building’s architectural history.”
Currently, water enters the building because the sidewalk slopes toward it. Additionally, the current door opens directly onto the ADA elevator.
“Right now the door is the only thing protecting the elevator,” Commissioner Thom Collier said.
Adding the enclosed vestibule provides protection from rain and improved handicap accessibility, with room for visitors to approach the elevator safely.
“And I think long term it provides us some security for the building,” Booth added. “If the day comes where we do require security, having a small entryway for the building entrance provides that ability.”
Permits and funding
Max Hentosh of MKC Architects represented the county at Mount Vernon’s Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Wednesday. Hentosh requested a variance in the amount of parking spaces for the new addition.
Under city code, the additional square footage requires 10 new parking spaces. However, the addition will serve as an entryway only and not provide space for additional occupants.
The ADA and surrounding parking will remain as is. The county requested a variance to add 0 new parking spaces.
The BZA granted the variance. The city’s Historical Review Commission will vet the project at its March 14 meeting.
Preliminary estimates for the improvement effort put the cost at around $700,000. Funding for the project is included in the recent $3.1 million bond sale for capital improvements.
Booth said he would know a more accurate cost after hearing from the Historical Review Commission and MKC finalizing design plans. He anticipates doing the work this year.
