Techwood Homes, Store and Administration Building is a contributing building in the Techwood Homes Historic District, nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in The building is significant for its role within the first federally funded public housing project in this country. In addition to its engineering and construction techniques, its economic, social, and governing functions were central to the concept of a self-contained community that was one of the goals of the Techwood Homes public housing experiment. TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 2) PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Date of erection: President Franklin D.
Roosevelt dedicated Techwood on November 29, September 1, marked the official opening ceremony of the project and was proclaimed Techwood Day in Atlanta. No information has been found confirming the exact erection date of the Store and Administration Building. 2. Architect: Burge and Stevens. The Atlanta architectural firm accepted an contract to design the Techwood Homes complex, of which the Store and Administration Building was a part, on May 17, Flip Burge, one of the principals, was an original member of the Board of Trustees which secured federal approval for the Techwood project. 3. Original and subsequent owners: The Housing Division of the Public Works Administration (PWA) of the federal government had original jurisdiction over Techwood Homes.
When the Federal Housing Administration was established in that agency assumed control of the project. The Atlanta Housing Authority was created in June of under the directorship of Charles F. Palmer, Atlanta real estate developer who had spearheaded the drive to make Techwood the first public housing project in the country. In March of the Atlanta Housing Authority took over administration of Techwood Homes under a lease agreement with the U. S. Housing Authority, 4. Builder, contractor, suppliers: J, A. Jones Construction Company of Charlotte, North Carolina built Techwood Homes, including the Store and Administration Building, at a total cost of which included purchase of the land at 49 cents a square foot.
No specific information on the Store and Administration Building's individual cost, contractor or suppliers has been located, although the construction project resulted in many local jobs. 5. Original plans and construction: The building remains a primarily one-story concrete structure - with the exception of its east end which contains a second story. The building stair-steps down the grade to the west, toward Techwood Drive. Original plans are housed in the Engineering and Capital Improvements Department of the Atlanta Housing Authority. 6. Alterations and additions: It is believed that the building received its first physical alterations in James C. Wise is believed to have renovated the building, enclosing what had originally been open-bay store fronts.
An Atlanta Housing Authority site plan from records a possible change in use, which may have altered the structural configuration of the original store areas. The TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 3) plan shows a "tenant selection office" in the westernmost end of the building and a "maintenance shop" at the other end of the building, west of the "rental office." It is possible, although unconfirmed, that bathrooms were upgraded in the Store and Administration Building in the as they were in the residential units. Changes in floor covering and paint may also have been made at this time. B. Historical Context The relationship of the Store and Administration Building to the rest of the Techwood Homes complex was a central one.
As an experiment in public housing as a self- sustainable community, Techwood relied on the economic, social, governing functions represented in the Store and Administration Building. The Techwood Progress, published by and for Techwood residents, in its February 23, issue, carries the advertisements of several stores which were located in this building. They include Alverson's Beauty and Barber Shop Merritts Avenue, N. W.) which boasted of its "New Eugene Permanent Waving Machine" and its 25 cent children's haircuts, "except Saturdays"; May's Merritts Avenue, N. W.) a laundry and dry cleaning business that offered 3 for $1 on dry cleaning of "plain dresses, men's suits, coats (no fur), and overcoats"; Hillman's Market Merritts Avenue, N.
W.) which advertised "Staple and Fancy Groceries and Fresh Western Meats"; and Baldwin's Drug Store Merritts Avenue, N. W.) which featured "complete fountain service and Wood's fine ice cream." They also delivered. It is believed that a portion of the second floor Techwood Homes manager's office served as the site of one of the 11 nationwide War Nursery Schools opened to assist mothers with defense jobs during World War II. Thirty-three children were enrolled from AM to PM for a week per child. TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 4) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1.
Architectural character: Of architectural interest are the building's narrow transverse dimension and the exterior use of materials, which the National Register nomination describes as "4 inches of selected common brick, bonded every fifth course" and trimmed with cast stone. While original plans specified terra cotta trim around the doors and brick window sills, cast stone was used in actual construction. 2. Condition of fabric: The Store and Administration Building appears to be in good structural condition but is in need of maintenance and cosmetic attention, B. Description of Exterior: 1. Overall dimensions: The overall dimensions of the structure are as follows: first floor x second floor x basement x There is a 5 thick concrete roof slab. 2.
Walls: Exterior walls are faced with four inches of selected common brick, bonded every fifth course and trimmed with cast stone. 3. Structural systems, framing: The floors and roof are of solid concrete slab construction and are supported by 12-inch exterior walls consisting of eight-inch load- bearing tile blocks and two rows of interior concrete columns spaced apart, connected by longitudinal concrete beams, as described by the National Register nomination. 4. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Doorways are located on the northern facade, fronting Merritts Avenue, on the southern or rear side of the building, and on the western side, facing Techwood Drive. Three southern-facing doors open to a loading dock; another to the maintenance shop; and a double door leads into the stock room.
On the Merritts Ave. side, a double door opens into an entry hall in the eastern third of the building, and a second double door provides access to tenant space in the building's western third. A double door is also located on the Techwood Drive side of the building. Door surrounds are of stone, and doors are metal. TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 5) b. Windows: Windows punctuate the length of the building's eastern and southern sides and flank the Techwood Drive entrance. They are of metal, double- hung sash construction. Windows are defined by snap-in mullions. Transom lights run the length of the original store area. 5. Roof: a. Shape, covering; The roof is a solid concrete slab 5 thick. b. Eaves: There are no eaves. C.
Description of Interior: 1. Floor plan: The floor plan is longitudinal in orientation. It is of narrow transverse dimension and stair-steps down the grade west toward Techwood Drive. 2. Stairways: A stairway leads up to the second floor and down to the vault room in the basement from the entry hall in the eastern part of the building. The stairs are of concrete construction; the railings are of metal. 3. Flooring: Floors are of solid concrete slab construction. 4. Walls and ceilings: Walls and ceilings are of solid concrete construction. The entry hall is tiled. 5. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Doors are of wood construction and are located on the northern, southern, and western sides. b.
Windows: Windows are of metal, double-hung sash construction and are located along the entire length of the eastern and southern sides of the building as well as framing the doorway on its western side. 6. Mechanical equipment: a. Heating: The original steam-generated boiler/ electric baseboard heating system was replaced with a gas-fired hot water circulation system in the Steam was originally piped by Georgia Power Company. b. Plumbing: All pipes were originally copper. Bathrooms are located in the eastern section of the building on both floors as well as in the western section of the building, TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 6) D. Site: 1. General setting and orientation: The building fronts on Merritts Ave.
It is longitudinally oriented and stair-steps down the grade west toward Techwood Dr. Existing landscape elements include areas of grass and a line of trees along Techwood Drive and Merritts Avenue. A group of trees also exists east of the loading dock area. The building was originally accessible by Williams St. to the east and Techwood Dr. from the west until the construction of closed that segment of Williams. 2. Historic landscape design: It is believed that at least some of the existing trees are part of the original planting plan. PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION A.
Architectural drawings: Several sets of drawings are available, including: - original drawings - drawings dated February 15, Atlanta Housing Authority site plan, comprehensive modernization drawings by AHain and Patterson, Photographs of selected examples of original drawings are included in this submittal, as follows: planting plan and plant list (photo # plot plan and roof plan (photo # floor plans and elevations (photo # and details (photo # Original drawings are housed at the Engineering and Capital Improvements Department of (he Atlanta Housing Authority. B. Historic views: Historic photographs are archived at the Atlanta History Center. A number of newspaper articles and other sources listed in Part III.C include historic views. C. Bibliography; 1.
Primary and unpublished sources: Atlanta Urban Design Commission, files. Atlanta History Center, vertical files, newspapers, historic photographs. Atlanta Housing Authority files. Atlanta Preservation Center, file. University of Georgia Hargrett Library, Athens, vertical files. TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 7) 2. Secondary and published sources: "A Housing Project at Age New York Times, 21 August "Alderman Blocks Creation of City Housing Authority." Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, City of. Planning Atlanta Atlanta: Department of Planning, . Social Report on Neighborhood Analysis. Atlanta: Community Council of the Atlanta Area, nd. Atlanta Housing Authority. Atlanta Rebuilding: Bulletin of the Housing Authority of Atlanta. 1, 1 (April .
Rebuilding Atlanta: Second Annual Report. Atlanta: Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, . Steps Towards a Brighter Future. Atlanta: Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, nd. . Miscellaneous untitled documents. Atlanta: Housing Auth. of the City of Atlanta, . Techwood Homes: 50. Atlanta: Atlanta Housing Authority, Blackmon, Douglas A. and Lyle V. Harris. "Measure Creates Special Tax Zone for Techwood." Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 16 December 4 Denberg, Jeff. "Techwood Project Comes Full Cycle: From Slum to Slum." Atlanta Journal, 19 September 1 Durcanin, Cynthia. Georgia Ties Paved Way for First Housing Project" Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 17 March 6 (A). Durcanin, Cynthia and Bert Roughton, Jr.
"An Option for Techwood." Atlanta Constitution, 10 September 1 (A) and 17 (A). "Elderly Housing Dedicated." Atlanta Constitution, 1 January Tenant Signs Techwood Lease." Atlanta Constitution. 3 June Furman, Lee. "Life Goes on at Enjoyable Pace for 800 Youngsters at Techwood." Atlanta Constitution, 27 March TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 8) Gilreath, Frank C, Jr. Housing Project for Negroes Is Announced." Atlanta Journal, 5 March 1. Green, Luke. "British Expert Praises Techwood as One of Best Designed in. TJ. S." Atlanta Journal, Greer, Richard. "Techwood Foot Patrols Switch to Night Hours." Atlanta Journal, 18 April Harris, Lyle V. "Techwood - ACOG Deal Ok'd by FEDS." Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 29 May 10 (I). .
"Techwood Residents Of Plan for Games." Atlanta Constitution. 27 May 1 (A) and 8 (A). "Housing Authority Sponsors Gigantic WPA Survey of Atlanta's Property Values, Rents and Income." Atlanta Constitution. 6 July 1. "Housework will be Easy at Techwood." Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 10 July, Huey, John. "Two Faces of Techwood Homes." Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 27 October Jones, Gregg. "Black Pioneers Defend Project." Atlanta Journal. 24 May 1 (A). , "Techwood Homes: Symbol of Despair, Hope." Atlanta Journal, 24 May 1 (A). . "Techwood Memories Still Linger." Atlanta Journal, 24 May 1 (A). . "Techwood-Clark Howell Puts on a New Face." Atlanta Journal. 25 May 30 (A). Lear, John. "Uncle Sam Uses Atlanta as His Housing Laboratory." Atlanta Journal and Constitution.
28 August "Light Fantastic on Anniversary Aim at Techwood." Atlanta Constitution. 1 September Munoz, Mitchell M. "Dream Vs. Reality? Techwood Turns Atlanta (November National Register Nomination. Techwood Homes Historic District. Atlanta, 29 June TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 9) Neal, Willard. "A Trip through Atlanta's New Techwood Apartments." Atlanta Constitution, 5 July 1 and 15. "New 3-Million Housing Unit Near Techwood." Sunday American, 12 February 1. Given to City to Clear Slums, Laying Basis for Record Building Boom." Atlanta Constitution, 2 July 1. "Opening of Techwood will be Feted Here." Atlanta Constitution, 6 August 17. "Palmer Awaits Reply to Housing Fund Plea." Northside Press, 17 June 1. Palmer, Charles F.
Adventures of a Slum Fiehter. Atlanta: Tupper and Love, Perkerson, Medora Field. "We are Weary of 'Raised Eyebrows' Say Techwood Ladies." Atlanta Journal, 31 October 3 and 14. "Plan to Spare Techwood Homes Area." Atlanta Journal. 27 November Pruitt, Travis and Associates. Boundary Survey for Tech. Atlanta, Salter, Sallye. "Neighbors Hope for Redeveloped Techwood." Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 29 April 1 (A) and 6 (A). Sherman, Mark. "Council President" Tear Down Techwood for Olympic Village." Atlanta Journal, 4 April 1 (A) and 13 (A). "Slum War Spurred." Sunday American. 25 September 1. Steedman, Marguerite. "City Here in a City." Atlanta Journal, 28 July 2 and 17. "Techwood's Fete Marks First Year." Atlanta Constitution. 1 September Techwood Homes.
Consumer Cooperatives Articles of Incorporation. Atlanta, nd. . Consumer Cooperatives Report. Atlanta, . Techwood Progress II 3 (23 February "Techwood Homes District - National Register District." Atlanta's Lasting Landmarks Atlanta: Atlanta Urban Design Commission, "10 Millions Slum Projects Mapped." Sunday American. 25 September 1 and 5. TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 10) Warwick, Paul. "Techwood Marks Birthday." Atlanta Constitution, 1 September "Weltner to Head Atlanta Low Cost Housing Project." Atlanta Constitution, 25 September 1 and 4. Williams, Gladstone. "City Seeks Funds to Clear Slums." Atlanta Constitution, 14 June D.
Supplemental material; Following this outline format text are two 8 x 11" sketch drawings, as follows: historic site plan of Techwood Homes with the Store and Administration Building indicated site plan of existing historic district with the Store and Administration Building indicated PART IV. PROJECT INFORMATION This HABS documentation packet is being prepared in compliance with a stipulation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that addresses the impact of the Olympic Housing Impact Area on the Techwood Homes Historic District. The MOA is dated March 19, Parties to the MOA are: the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Board of Regents of the University System of the State of Georgia, and the Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Prepared by: Lina L. Cofresi Rosetta Radtke The Jaeger Company 119 Washington Street Gainesville, Georgia July TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 11) HISTORIC SITE PLAN OF TECHWOOD HOMES l fcifl^J&MfiiJ&sfv- TECHWOOD HOMES, STORE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HABS No. GA-2257-A (Page 12) SITE PLAN OF TECHWOOD HOMES HISTORIC DISTRICT S^m
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