No recommendation for preservation of 2818 West 8th St
The Millcreek Township General Authority released the report on the historical review of the structure located at 2818 West 8th St., scheduled for demolition as part of the Millcreek Gateway economic development project.
The report was commissioned by the Millcreek General Authority and conducted by the firm Clio Consulting of renowned architect Angelique Bamberg. Ms. Bamberg is a historical preservation expert who served the City of Pittsburgh, PA as the Historic Preservation Planner for eight years. Additionally, she served on the state’s historical preservation board.
The study revealed background on the history of Millcreek, the existing schoolhouses around the township and preservation in general. However, it was the finding of the report that the structure at 2818 W. 8th Street should not be considered for historic restoration or preservation.
The Clio Consulting report stated, “This finding does not support a recommendation for physical preservation of 2818 W. 8th Street in its present form.” The survey further concluded that “restoration of the building’s original appearance is not possible due to lack of documentation of its original form, design, and materials and how they conveyed and supported its past educational function” .
Additionally, Ms. Bamberg asserted, “it is impossible to associate 2818 W. 8th Street with significant themes in the history of Millcreek, its education, or its architectural heritage.”
“The report from an experienced and renowned preservation expert did not support preservation of 2818 W 8th in current form and stated it was impossible to associate the structure with any of Millcreek’s history,” said Millcreek Township General Authority Executive Director Matt Waldinger.
“The passion of the people of Millcreek to preserve its history and engage in its future is part of what makes Millcreek a great place to call home,” said Millcreek Township General Authority Executive Director Matt Waldinger. “While the preservation expert review did not find any cause to preserve or maintain 2818 W 8th in its current form, as it is impossible to associate the structure with any of Millcreek’s history, the research is valuable as it relates to our broader history.”
“Development of the Gateway District — a key step in the plan to revitalize the Presque Isle Gateway District as part of Embrace Millcreek — will modernize one of the Township’s key business and tourism corridors into an engine for economic development and tourism. We encourage the public to continue to engage as we begin the next phase.”
Some other key points in the report were:
- The inability to adaptively reuse the structure as it has already been reused so much over its history, the original design is unknown.
- The present condition of the building no longer conveys history as a one-room schoolhouse.
- The inconsistency of design when compared to other proven one-room schoolhouses in Millcreek.
The Millcreek Township General Authority was established by the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors on October 11, 2022, with the passing of Resolution 2022-R-45. It was formed as a tool to assist with redeveloping areas of the Township, implementing and executing the Presque Isle Gateway District Plan, and aiding with the management and funding of the Township’s Stormwater System.
