Robert P. O'Neill, Gannett Fleming; David Harrower, RA, LEED AP; and Dennis Louwerse, Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority

1. Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority
(BARTA)
Franklin Street Station Rehabilitation
…Back to the Future

2. Project Location

3. City of Reading

4. PROJECT HISTORY

5. About BARTA…
• 1973 – Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority
Formed
• 1978 – Special Services Division Established
• 2010 – Becomes a County Authority, Renamed Berks
Area REGIONAL Transportation Authority (BARTA)
BARTA Mission:
Provide safe, efficient, convenient and
dependable transportation to the people of
Berks County, PA

6. Eighth Street
Sixth Street
Norfolk Southern
BARTA Transportation Center
Franklin Street
Franklin Street Station
Chestnut Street
BARTA Park-n-Transit
BARTA Transportation Complex

7. 2002: BARTA Transportation Center (BTC)

8. 2005: BARTA Park-n-Transit

9. 2012: BARTA Franklin Street Station

10. 1928: Buses Preceded Station

11. 1981: Uncertain Future

12. When is a Site Considered
"At Risk"?
The property is listed on, or determined eligible for
listing in the National Register of Historic Places;
OR
The property is considered a contributing structure
in a National Register Historic District;
OR
The property is designated historic by local
government;
AND
The property is faced with imminent, recognized
endangerment either from overt action, neglect,
incompatible use, or loss of context.

13. Why Franklin Street Station?
Purpose:
• Accommodate future growth of local and regional bus
transport by restoring the Franklin Street Station
• Station Rehabilitation can accommodate future expansion
of a regional commuter line from Norristown
(Montgomery County) to the City of Reading
• Rehabilitation will be consistent with the historic
characteristics of both the building and the site.

14. THE PROCESS:
NEPA & Section 106 Coordination

15. Process Highlights:
• Early Coordination with FTA: EA vs. CATEX
• Early Coordination with PHMC: CATEX Required
“No Adverse Effect”
• “No Adverse Effect” Contingent on Details of
Rehabilitation
• PHMC Review and Approval of Final Plans
• Coordination with City of Reading HARB during
Final Design

16. BEST PRACTICES:
Building Preservation and
Rehabilitation

17. Best Practices:
• Materials
 Identify and Assess
 Retain Original Materials Wherever Possible
o Issue of hazardous materials
 Treat Appropriately
 Err on the Side of Caution
o Salvage it all, decide later
 Dilemmas

47. Dilemma: What Ceiling to Install?

54. Construction Progress:
July 3, 2012

55. Best Practices:
• Introducing Modern Elements
 What and Why
 Size Matters
 Location, Location, Location

56. Modern Elements: Egress and Accessibility

57. Modern Elements: HVAC Units

60. Modern Elements: Drawing Prepared at 60% Stage to
Communicate Intent To PHMC for New Vestibules

61. Modern Elements: New Site Components –
Lighting, Cameras Bus Shelters

62. Modern Elements: Drawing Prepared at 60% Stage to
Communicate Intent To PHMC for New Bus Shelters

63. CONCLUSIONS…

64. Lessons Learned:
• Thorough, concise site conditions report required
(from Planning, through Design and Construction)
• Expect the unexpected – What’s behind that wall?
Under the pavement?
• Plan for surprises – Walls that aren’t plumb, square;
clay block interior walls, gyp-crete roof planks, etc.
• Coordination with utilities; agencies will take longer
than expected – plan for it!
• Remember – Other involved entities have their own
rules, goals and expectations – be flexible.

65. …Back to the Future

66. SAVED!

67. THANK YOU!