Techwood Homes, Building No. 3, 559 Techwood Drive & 129-135 Merrit Avenue, Atlanta

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,61-ATLA,60E-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Techwood Homes, Building 3 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, Building 3 is one of three buildings that comprise an entire building group (Group No. of the original complex. As a unit, they illustrate the dynamic, integral configuration of built and open space that helped make Techwood Homes an experimental model for subsequent public housing projects. TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (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 dates of Building 3. 2. Architect: Burge and Stevens, The Atlanta architectural firm accepted an contract to design the Techwood Homes complex, of which Building 3 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 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 Building 3, at a total cost of which included purchase of the land at 49 cents a square foot.

No specific information on Building 3's individual costs, contractor, or suppliers has been located, although the construction project resulted in many local jobs. 5. Original plans and construction: Building 3 is a three-story concrete apartment building, with primarily unexcavated basement, comprised of one and two-bedroom apartments, including plan types A (18 units), B (18 units), D (3 units), E (3 units), F (15 units), and G (15 units). Original plans are housed in the Engineering and Capital Improvements Department of the Atlanta Housing Authority. 6. Alterations and additions: Trie building has undergone one significant period of alteration. In the the Atlanta Housing Authority obtained a million grant from HUD through the Comprehensive Improvement Assistance Program.

This grant, shared with Clark Howell Homes, was used to upgrade bathroom and kitchen facilities. All kitchen cabinets were restained and painted inside; they were replaced where needed. Bathroom accessories were replaced as needed as were ceilings and ceramic tile areas over tubs. Marble thresholds replaced the wooden ones in all bathrooms. Grab bars and handheld showers were installed in all HDC units. TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABSNo. GA-2257-E (Page 3) The grant was also used to install vinyl flooring, new windows, and roofing, to modify closets, add bookshelves, and washer alcoves, and to insulate vent stacks. It provided electrical work, exterior door replacements, and interior painting.

Also the steam boiler/electric baseboard heating system was replaced with an energy efficient, gas-fired hot water circulation system (Atlanta Housing Authority Allain and Associates and James Patterson Associates were the architectural firms that drew the plans for the comprehensive modernization of Techwood Homes. Newcomb and Boyd Engineers of Atlanta did the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical renovations. Ray Gustafson and Assoc. were responsible for the civil engineering, and Harry Baldwin, landscape architect, also from Atlanta, relandscaped the property. B. Historical Context The relationship of Building 3 to its housing block (includes Buildings 1 and 2) and to the rest of Techwood Homes is one of parts to the whole. Building 3 is a functional structure within its housing block.

As a complete block unit of one of the original housing groups (No. the three buildings function as a microcosm of the overall design. Together, they illustrate the dynamic, integral configuration of built and open space that helped make Techwood Homes an experimental model for subsequent public housing projects. An Atlanta Constitution July 5, article described the enthusiasm with which the opening of Techwood Homes was received: And if you earn too much or too little, or own your own house, look at the apartments anyway - you will find some ideas for making your own home more livable. Trie architects who designed the project know a lot about what it takes to make homes comfortable, and their wives probably contributed a few ideas. Techwood is indeed an amazing spot.

There isn't a millionaire's home in Atlanta that has as many modern improvements or handy appliances. While no documentary famous people lived in Building 3, such as Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A restaurants, who lived for four years down the block at 466 Techwood Drive, or Cecil B. Day, Sr founder of Days Inn of America, over fifty years worth of families have called Techwood home - families such as Mr. and W. C.

Steele and their son Powell - who were the first family to sign a lease for an apartment in In his dedication, President Roosevelt described what the opening of Techwood Homes and soon-to-follow public housing projects across the country would mean to families whose income qualified them for occupancy: Today these hopeless old houses are gone, and in their places we see the bright, cheerful buildings of the Techwood Housing Project. TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABSNo. GA-2257-E (Page 4) Within a very short time, people who never before could get a decent roof over their heads will live in reasonable comfort amid healthful, worthwhile surroundings PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General statement: 1.

Architectural character; Of architectural interest are the narrow transverse dimension of the building 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. Also of architectural significance is the dynamic, integral configuration of built and open space achieved by Building 3 as a component of its housing block. 2. Condition of fabric: Building 3 appears to be in good structural condition but is in need of maintenance and cosmetics. B. Description of exterior: 1.

Overall dimensions: Building 3 is a three-story concrete apartment building with largely unexcavated basement; storage and laundry facilities, as well as a boiler room, occupy portions of the northern and western sides of the basement. 3 is a J-shaped building and has the following overall dimensions: x x x 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 a row of interior concrete columns spaced apart, connected by longitudinal beams, according to the National Register nomination. 4. Openings: a.

Doorways and doors: Doors are of metal construction, and door surrounds are of stone, featuring a three-light transom. Doorways are located equidistantly along the length of the building. Building 3 has three doorways accessible from the central open space between Buildings 1, 2, and 3, in addition to two doorways on the Techwood Drive side of the building and four on the Merritts Avenue side. TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (Page 5) b, Windows: Regularly-spaced windows are located on all sides of the building. They are of metal, double-hung sash construction. Window lights are defined by snap-in mullions. Window openings of vacant apartments are boarded up with plywood panels. 5. Roof: a. Shape, covering: The roof is a solid concrete slab 5 thick. b.

Eaves: The building has no eaves. C. Description of interior: 1. Floor plan: Building 3 forms a J shape and is north-south in orientation. Each floor of the building repeats a balanced pattern of one and two-bedroom apartments of the A, B, D, E, F, and G floor plan types. The present unit configuration and composition date from the renovation. 2. Stairways: Stairways ascend up two floors from each of Building 3's nine entrances. Stairs are of concrete construction, and railings are of metal. 3. Flooring: Floors are of solid concrete construction. 4. Walls and ceilings: Walls and ceilings are of solid concrete construction. Entrance halls are tiled. 5. Openings: a.

Doorways and doors: Doors are of wood construction and are located on the north, courtyard side, western, and southern-facing sides of Building 3. b. Windows: Windows are of metal, double-hung sash construction. In each of the building's three stories, a regularly-spaced of windows moves along every 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. Each apartment in the building has a full bathroom and kitchen. TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABSNo. GA-2257-E (Page 6) D.

Site: 1, General setting and orientation: The housing block which Building 3 is part of is bounded and accessible by Techwood Drive on the west and Merritts Avenue on the south. It was originally accessible from Williams Street on the east until the construction of Interstates 75 and 85 resulted in the loss of that segment of Williams. As a built unit, the three structures making up the housing block configure open space in the form of a central courtyard and rear playground. 2. Historic landscape design: The original landscape plan was laid out symmetrically. It consisted of regularly-spaced street trees, a symmetrical, balanced planting pattern in the central courtyard, and symmetrically-placed interplantings of shrubs around the buildings, including Building 3.

The overall effect was one of unity, reinforcing the design concept of an integrated building unit. Original plantings included: Chinese elms (Ulmus pumila) along Merritts Ave., N. W.; and Water oaks (Quercus nigra) along Techwood Drive. Mimosas (Albizzia iulibrissin) wrapped around the northern side of Building 1, the eastern edge of Building 2, and defined the four corners of the playground. The grassed courtyard was planted with alternating American elms (Ulmus americana), Pfitzer junipers (Juninerus niitzeriana). and Thunberg Spiraea (Spiraea thunbergii). Shrubs included Crape mrytle (Lagerstroemia indica). Sweet shrub (Calvcanthus floridus). and Photinia (Photinia serrulata). It is believed that a number of existing trees are part of the original landscape plan.

It seems that other plantings date primarily from the relandscaping. 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 drawing.s by Allain and Patterson, Photographs of selected examples of original drawings are included in the submittal for HABS No.

GA-2257-C, as follows: planting plan and plant list (photo # plot plan and roof plan (photo # basement plan (photo # first floor plan (photo # floor plans for type A and type B apartments (photo # floor plans for type C apartments (photo # elevations (photo # sections and elevations of stairs and entries (photo # details (photo # and schedule of doors, windows, and interior finishes (photo # Original drawings are housed at the Engineering and Capital Improvements Department of the Atlanta Housing Authority. TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (Page 7) 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.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,61-ATLA,60E-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

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, books. 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 TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (Page 8) 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 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 U. S." Atlanta Journal, Greer, Richard. "Techwood Foot Patrols Switch to Night Hours." Atlanta Journal, 18 April Harris, Lyle V. "Techwood - AC0G 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." Atlanla 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 HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABSNo. GA-2257-E (Page 9) . "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 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 I. "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 Fighter. 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). TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (Page 10) "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. 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.

Suplemental material: Following this outline format text are two 8 x 11" sketch drawings, as follows: historic site plan of Techwood Homes with Building 3 indicated site plan of existing historic district with Building 3 indicated TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABSNo. GA-2257-E (Page 11) 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, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (Page \K) \2~ HISTORIC SITE PLAN OF TECHWOOD HOMES 1 ww . S3 a i: LA ok? KlSfeL JilMoOS^MM UU ! . c u,..r 3_ .jjjjja. rMl'taypyrEa J Minis "\^a! m ! TECHWOOD HOMES, BUILDING 3 HABS No. GA-2257-E (Pageja) (3> SITE PLAN OF TECHWOOD HOMES HISTORIC DISTRICT