Virginia City, Nevada

The Fourth Ward School in Virginia City is an 18,000 SF building with tremendous historic value, which has remained unoccupied since 1937. As Architects for the Fourth Ward School Board, we have prepared a general Preservation Plan, a detailed structural analysis, designed a Structural Stabilization project and the North Tower Addition which will add exit stairs and an elevator to improve public access. This work has been published in America Restored, 1994 The Preservation Press.

The Preservation Plan is a planning instrument written to assist the Fourth Ward School Board in restoring, renting and managing the building. We documented the history of the building, established a chronology of modifications and improvements and cataloged the various reports and studies prepared over the years. 

We completed architectural and structural inventories and evaluated possible uses for the building. Minor, major maintenance and improvement projects were designed and priced. As a result of our analysis and leadership, the Board established management Guidelines, and prioritized necessary maintenance and improvement projects. The first two priorities were the repair of the deteriorating foundation and site improvements to reduce erosion damage. These were accomplished for under $5/SF. The North Tower Addition is the first improvement project intended to expand use of the building. We assisted in securing funding from the Department of Historic Preservation. The addition is designed as a reconstruction of the original North restroom building. The new space houses a new elevator and exit stairs, facilitating access for the disabled, improving exiting and allowing occupancy of the third and fourth floors.