Butler Institute to Dedicate Skywalk, New Galleries
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Dedication of the recently renovated third floor of the Butler North Education Center and newly constructed glass skywalk bridge and elevator tower that connect it with the Butler Institute of American Art is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 12. It will be open to the public Sept. 13 during the museum’s regular hours.
The center is in the former First Christian Church.
The 2012-2013 project, completed at a cost of $1.5 million, encompasses a glass tower with elevator and a connecting bridge. “The new Butler skywalk and Americana/folk art galleries will provide a wonderful venue for experiencing a wholly different side of American art," said Butler director Louis Zona in a prepared statement. "Our community and the nation-at-large have something very special to experience here at the Butler beginning in September.”
The construction adds 1,550 square feet. Also in the project was the renovation of the Butler North third floor to create four new gallery spaces. Funds to compete the project were obtained through contributions from regional companies, area foundations and from private donors.
The primary materials for the first phase of the project were an exposed steel tube structure with a point-supported glass encasement installed by Imperial Glazing Concepts of Niles. The connector, or skywalk, extends over the parking lot and provides a new south entrance to Butler North’s Great Hall, the former church sanctuary, as well as to all five levels of the Butler North Educational Center via an elevator. The elevator opens from front and back, providing handicap accessibility to Butler North and the parking lot of the museum.
The second phase of the project was the conversion of 2,775 square feet of classroom space on the top floor of Butler North into four new gallery spaces. Because of the history of the space, maintaining the integrity of the building integrity was a paramount concern, Zona says. Upgrading aged finishes included the installation of new wood and laminate flooring to match the flooring in the galleries of the Butler.
General contractor of the skywalk, elevator tower and new galleries was Davis International Inc. Architect was C. Robert Buchanan.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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