BEST USE OF HISTORIC TAX CREDITS AWARD, 2015 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS

The Best Use of Historic Tax Credits Award was presented to GJR Enterprises for its use of tax credits in rehabilitating the Riley Law Building in downtown Wheeling.

The rehabilitation of the former Riley Law Building, now the Kaley Center, on the northwest corner of Fourteenth and Chapline Streets in the Central Business District served as a catalyst for the revitalization of other monumental buildings in Wheeling.  As a contributing resource to the National Register listed Wheeling Historic District, the building owner was able to take advantage of historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Renowned architect Charles W. Bates designed the ten-story masonry structure in 1922.  The building contains typical characteristics of early 20th century commercial architecture with a slender rectangular floor plan, a uniform and logical façade with the dramatic fenestration accenting its verticality.   The open floor plan is constructed with formed in place concrete columns, beams, and floor slabs.  The exterior is accented with several types of brick coursing along with limestone accent banding and other details along the cornice.

Since tenants occupied the building during the renovation, the project was completed in multiple phases.  The first phase included an exterior restoration where the façade brick and limestone accents were cleaned and restored; and the exposed steel lintels at the windows and door openings were recoated and/or replaced. New insulated double-hung windows and trim matching the size, scale and color of the originals replaced the 1970s bronze aluminum single glazed windows.  Once the new windows were installed, the architect’s original design intent expressing the strong contrast between the brick veneer and fenestration once again became prominent.

The second phase of the rehabilitation included the installation of new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems along with a generator which brought the building into code and energy compliance.  New equipment and cab finishes improved the existing elevators while the interior was completely renovated with new finishes complementing the existing conditions.

The final phase of the project included improving site conditions with new landscaping, paving and parking lot control.

Though the building serves multiple tenants, the building primarily functions as the corporate headquarters for a national roofing company that employs nearly 80 personnel.

Other businesses recognized for their efforts in this project include:

• Architect: Victor R. Greco, Mills Group
• Electrical Engineer: CJL Engineering
• M/P Engineers: FMRW Engineering
• Structural Engineer: WBCM, Inc.
• Contractors: Colaianni Construction
• Façade Restoration: Mariani & Richards, Inc.
• Electrical: Erb Electric
• Plumbing: Kucera Plumbing
• HVAC: York Mahoning Mechanical Contractors
• Elevator: WV Elevator
• Sprinkler: S.A. Comunale
• Window: Specified Systems, Inc.
• Painting: Karras Painting
• Floor Finishes: Flagg Floors
• Casework: Riceland Cabinet

The rehabilitation of the Kaley Center has dramatically improved the skyline of Wheeling and has fostered an interest in the continuing revitalization of other historic buildings in the downtown.