Preservation Board to Review An Issue With Lafayette Walk
The agenda for Monday’s Preservation Board meeting is not yet published (due to a web issue I’m told) but I do know of one issue that will be heard: exposed gas meters in front of Orchard Development’s new Lafayette Walk project.
In January 2005 the Preservation Board approved the Lafayette Walk project (PDF review file) with staff noting:
The project is an important contribution at this neglected entrance to a significant City neighborhood. Because of its size and the manner in which it will dominate this entrance, it is very important that the details in project design as well as in project execution be well done. The success of the Lafayette Square Historic District, in large part, relies on the fine detail and historic character of its buildings and streets.
Some Lafayette Square residents are rightly upset that each unit has an exposed gas meter facing the public sidewalk. What is not known is how this happened or who is to blame. Was it a gas company requirement? The developer trying to save some money on installation of the gas service? Or simply an oversight on the part of the Cultural Resources staff? Whatever the reason it is most certainly unsightly.
You can only do so much with landscaping, especially in such small spaces. Yes, this is minor in the big scheme of things but these meters really stand out. The Preservation Board meetings are almost always interesting and this topic alone promises to make it a good one. The fun begins Monday 2/27/06 at 4pm at 1015 Locust, 12th floor.
– Steve
4pm? Some of us will still be at work.
When will they move the meeting to time AFTER the workday?
[REPLY – The purpose of public meetings is not to actually have public participation. The purpose is to give the appearance of public participation. See the difference? Keep working… – SLP]
…more likely an oversight on the part of the architect.
How does that disclaimer go…”drawings are artists renderings only and do not necessarily reflect actual construction.”
Locations of the meters were likely left off the plans, and to save on the cost of meter readings, Laclede Gas now requires external meters or remote reading devices on inside meters.
External gas meters are also considered safer by many people, because if there is a leak at the meter or one of its connections, it’s outside so it dissipates rather than building up inside the basement.
That’s a totally separate issue from the electronic meter-reading devices, which CellNet monitors regardless of whether the actual meters are inside or outside.
I thought about moving both my meters outside when I bought our house, but it would have cost several hundred dollars. Plumbing and roof work seemed like a better investment.
Anyway, I agree all gas meters should be located on the side or rear of houses. The side is probably more feasible in most cases.
But I have noticed some commercial properties do have them right out front; for example, the Burger King on S. Grand near Keokuk.
In this case, we’re talking about rows of townhouses. I think there are 2 groups of 6 common-wall townhouses facing Mississippi, so a little more difficult on the side-option…you could go to the back, but you’ve got a yard and garage between the alley and house as well. Whatever the case, it looks terrible, and really detracts from the curb appeal as well as violating the spirit of the historic code.
What am I missing? Can you just plant a shrub to hide it or obscure it with a strategically placed garden gnome?
Sorry Steve, but to the gas house gang-Dont EVEN bring architects into this for the gas meter placement! Architects are supposed to review drawings(mind you the gas meter was probably located there by an engineer to begin with), but there are many other factors that play a part in this. Money and untility companies are two major factors. It could be a utility company requirement that the meters be placed along the public way, or in an accessible area which could be why the engineer located them there. So before you go ripping on architects have all your facts together.
[REPLY – An engineer may have placed the meters there but it is the role of the architect to have oversight of the entire project. My point is someone dropped the ball.
Other new buildings in Lafayette Square have managed to avoid gas meters facing the public street. This is not an unreasonable expectation when doing new construction. – SLP]