Mountaineer Middle Renovations

2008 

Renovation

The transformation of a former high school into a middle school for Monongalia County Schools created an opportunity to retain the grand edifice and create a new main entrance that met the needs of the Safe School Initiative and provided for an accessible route for students, staff and visitors.

The renovation project included the removal of an 80-year-old boiler/heating system, abatement of asbestos containing materials, reconfiguration of classrooms and support space, with new HVAC, sprinklers system, new roof and redesign and paving of the parking lots and access road.

The renovation also included relocating the administrative offices 

adjacent to the buildings primary entrance.

2020 

Façade Restoration

The original 1923 limestone entrance was built with an “open-air” tunnel under the main staircase of the entrance.Through the years, it became a safety and security issue. The “tunnel” had been closed off and designated as “storage area”. Water in the form of liquid rain and condensation appeared overtime in the room adjacent to the “storage area”.

Alpha Associates, Inc. created restoration documents of the limestone entrance, from the limestone parapet to the end of the limestone stairs. Still concerned about the security and safety of the “tunnel”, the water infiltration was resolved, and the arched opening was reimagined and rebuilt to blend in with the original stonework.

Site Improvements

 Alpha Associates provided surveying, civil engineering and construction administration services for the Mountaineer Middle School Site Improvement Project. 

With the prior elimination of the bus loop, Mountaineer Middle School was in need of a comprehensive pedestrian and vehicular site circulation plan. Alpha prepared a plan to accommodate school buses and parent vehicles, with a priority on student safety. The plan separated buses and cars to provide a more efficient site circulation plan which allowed smoother, safer operations during the busy student pick-up time at school day’s end. 

Alpha’s civil engineering components included: 

• Traffic analysis 
• Site layout and grading 
• ADA accessibility 
• Storm drainage design