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Report finds
jail at risk
By LOU HATTER
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
An advisory opinion from the state Division of Historic Landmarks says that the county's plan to add an addition to the county jail could endanger the historic integrity of the building.
Acknowledging that a full-scale evaluation of the plans would require more information than he was given, architectural historian John Wells phrased his comments as “advisory opinions," for the consideration of the county and the town’s Architectural Review Board.
County Administrator John McCarthy requested that Mr. Wells review the project, which must have the approval'of the ARB before it can begin. The board has also submitted the plans to another architect for review. Mr. Wells also served as a consultant to the ARB during its deliberations on a plan to add an addition to The Meadows, west of Main St.
Mr. Wells suggested that the addition to the west side of the building, "a handsome side elevation," could compromise the “parapeted chimneys," which he called “major elements of the building’s historic definition.”
Mr. Wells said, in his two-page advisory letter to Mr. McCarthy, that other options should be considered which would avoid the necessity of “puneh(ing) holes in the old brick walls” to connect the addition to the existing building. He pointed out that locating the addition on the north side of the building (facing the courthouse) “would allow preservation of the more important west elevation.”
Another alternative, he added, might be construction of the addition as a separate building.
In addition, Mr. Wells wrote, “I am concerned with the potential impact” of the county’s longterm jail needs. Further additions, he said, “may eventually overwhelm this building.”
Mr. Wells noted the “grim” fenced exercise yard behind the building, which obviously detracts from the historic sense of the jail building. “The current proposal is certainly less grim, since the arSee
JAIL, p. 16
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