Tuesday morning in Falmouth, steamship governors and senior managers got a look at three new alternatives from BIA.studio, the Boston-based architectural firm working on the project.
After a public outcry, a letter from elected state officials and a petition to Gov. Baker with some 900 signatures, the Steamship Authority told its architects to scrap their original design for a new Woods Hole terminal building. Tuesday morning in Falmouth, boat line governors and senior managers got a look at three new alternatives from BIA.studio, the Boston-based architectural firm working on the project.
The options are being called Saltbox Roof, Gable Roof and Three-Story Crossing Gable. All three are 10 feet shorter than the previous design, although they will still block much of the water view from town—that would be the case even for a single-story building with a flat roof, according to a study conducted by the architects, SSA and Woods Hole community members in December.
Boat line general manager Robert Davis said the design changes were made based on public comments, including an October letter from state Sen. Vinny Machado and Rep. Dylan Fernandes, and input from the Woods Hole Community Association and the Woods Hole Business Association.
Saltbox roof.
Saltbox roof.
“These are just schematic designs,” Mr. Davis cautioned. The architects will discuss the design concepts in depth, and answer questions during public meetings, on March 28 at 6 p.m. at the Falmouth High School auditorium and April 8 at 5 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre above Tisbury town hall.
In response to public comments and concerns, the new concepts lack the expansive glass windows that had some people likening the previous design to the lodge at a ski resort.
The SSA has also agreed to replace a staffed food counter with vending machines, in order to take up less building space.
“How many people is this designed to accommodate?” asked Falmouth governor Kathryn Wilson, who joined the board last month.
“Three hundred,” replied Bill Cloutier, the SSA’s project manager for the Woods Hole terminal reconstruction.
“It will be tight” on busy summer days, Mr. Davis acknowledged. “People will wind up outside.”
Three-Story Crossing Gable.
Three-Story Crossing Gable.
Roof overhangs and pergolas will offer additional shelter from the elements outside the building, he said. There is also a planned row of shade umbrellas that has not been eliminated in the new schematics.
“In the wintertime, if we have a cancellation, we can easily fill that lobby up with passengers,” Mr. Davis added.
Board chair Robert Jones of Barnstable asked if the size of the planned building will meet the boatline’s needs in years to come, particularly with several new positions being created following an independent study by HMS Consulting.
“Are we boxing ourselves in for the future?” Mr. Jones wondered.
The new positions will be all assigned to the Palmer avenue administration building and not the Woods Hole terminal, Mr. Davis replied.
Mr. Jones remained skeptical. “When it comes up to a vote, I want assurance that this is adequate to our needs,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to vote for something that’s just marginal. I’m putting that on the plate for further discussion.”
Also on Tuesday, Mr. Cloutier showed recent slides of progress on slip 3, the bulkhead and the sewage pump-out facility, which is being tied into the town of Falmouth’s force main.
“Bill assures me we will have slip 3 operational by the end of May,” Mr. Davis said.
“Or else, right?” Mr. Cloutier responded wryly.
In other business, the board reauthorized its investment policy, which it reviews every two years, and took a first look at both the unaudited results of boat line operations in 2018 and the draft capital budget for 2019.
The SSA ended last year in the red with an operating loss of nearly $70,000. The largest increase in expenses came in maintenance, which jumped to $20,092,481—27 per cent above 2017 and 24 per cent above the 2018 budget.
“What plans do we have in place to not have maintenance expenses be so out of whack with the budget?” asked New Bedford governor Maura Tierney.
Mr. Davis said that as the boatline puts into practice more recommendations from the independent review by HMS Consulting, he expects that company estimates will be more accurate.
One of the recommendations is to hire a project engineer, Mr. Davis said.
“They would be going from boat to boat, not only for drydocks but for overhauls and engine work, and be able to identify what has to be done and get bid packages out much sooner and in a much more comprehensive way,” he said.
“If shipyards have more of a lead time, we should be able to get some better prices.”
The board also voted to award Avis-Budget a four-year contract to continue renting cars from its Palmer Avenue and Hyannis locations. The Parsippany, N.J.-based firm emerged the top bidder of three vying for the SSA locations.
Comments
No solar panels?
David V DuxburyNo solar panels?
Excellent question. This
Christopher Daly AquinnahExcellent question. This building cries out for solar panels.
I think the SSA needs to find
Bill Off Island, MA.I think the SSA needs to find a new architect that can design a building that will blend into the surroundings of Woods Hole and not some contemporary terminal that looks out of place. Good Luck!!!!
I understand the architect
Chris N.J. and West TisburyI understand the architect may want to make a contemporary statement but this design seems completely out of context with the area and it's rich New England seaside architectural history both in its design and use of materials.
Agreed. The stone looks like
Susan EdgartownAgreed. The stone looks like a prison facade...it’s so NOT New England or even nautical. Completely out of place!
If you want a building that
JOSII NantucketIf you want a building that has a sense of place, you should contact the architecture team that designed the expanded Nantucket Airport. It was approved by HDC and looks like it belongs, right down to the shingles, trim, landscaping and seating. How hard could it be to get it right?
Good idea, this building must
Lorraine EdgartownGood idea, this building must conform to the landscape and its surroundings as to design. Please Please Please do not mess this up.
Hear, hear!
Jean Mc Oak BluffsHear, hear!
Order of events for modern
Jim MenemshaOrder of events for modern management scheme:
Set objective
Plan course of action
Execute your plan
I might suggest that it’s time to “‘put your listening ears on”....
These people from Colorado?
SteveThese people from Colorado? This is Cape Cod
Please start over!!!!!
If a new building is going to
Ed Katama/ /Saratoga SpringsIf a new building is going to ruin the view...relocate the building!
Agreed.
Chris Daly AquinnahAgreed.
Why build on the water side of this lot anyway?
Why not build on the landward side?
Any building at the water's edge is in peril on Day One from rising seas, no?
If my architect returned
Slater MVIf my architect returned designs like this, I’d be hiring a new architect.
Totally sophomoric. Gable
Jane EdgartownTotally sophomoric. Gable Roof looks like a 1950's Gas Station in the front and the building itself apparently ran out of windows. exactly what is the difference between that an Slat Box roof?; finally, the last looks like a West Tisbury barn with attached hen coop.
WHO are these "architects"? Someone's niece or nephew?
Go find some award-winning architects and start over!
Why would you build so
gw wtWhy would you build so vertically with all the additional costs? Seems like a repeat of the Island Home problem...plus such little sunlight or solar panels.
The architects just don't
Alex M EdgartownThe architects just don't "get it." They have no understanding of New England architectural styles or building materials. Why all the stone facade? I like the new concept just not the exterior materials.
Solar PV roof shingles would
Darrell King Edgartown/BelmontSolar PV roof shingles would accomplish both objectives: an appropriate looking building and a goal of Net Zero. Mini-split ductless air source heat pumps for extremely efficient heating and cooling, without fossil fuels. Also build in the infrastructure for charging all-electric buses; no more diesel. The Vineyard is already doing it.
Hear hear! Add to that no
Miargot lane MenemshaHear hear! Add to that no plastic utensils or straws served w/any food in the vicinity!
What's with the stone? Cedar
Joanna ChilmarkWhat's with the stone? Cedar shingles, please.
When I moved to the Puget
Matthew H Gallagher Redmond, WA and West TisburyWhen I moved to the Puget Sound region, I was introduced to the Pacific Northwest contemporary style. It's doesn't look great here either.
You know what would have been
J island rentalYou know what would have been a great idea? To maybe approve a design before demolishing the old one.
This is just a comedy of errors and the designs look like a first-year design class project review. And not for nothing, but why aren't local architects like Hutker and Breese jumping on this opportunity to design a proper terminal that has some character and coastal vernacular?
I hope the SSA reads our
Vineyard Haven Villager Spring StreetI hope the SSA reads our comments. They definitely need a new Architectural Firm. This is so wrong!
I second all the comments
Islander TooI second all the comments above, and here is my own:
This is not my idea of what a "salt box" design looks like.
Here is info on what is a salt box:
http://www.cchonline.com/saltbox
I don't think Woods Hole needs a salt box type design for its terminal But they ar going to call it a salt box, at least have it be a real salt box! otherwise it become a permanent display of ignorance.
What is wrong with these people?
Get a new architect. Now.
And, yes, they should have thought about the design before pulling down the old terminal. Which was, actually, adequate.
Jeez.
One word. UGLY!
LouiseOne word. UGLY!
I thought it was just me when
Michael OBI thought it was just me when I looked at the choices because I was so vocal early on.
Good God, they're awful.
Again; this is New England and the gateway to the islands. There is plenty of glass and stone in the cities.
Please keep some old fashioned New England in the design. It will just be a forgotten memory without it.
Reconsider the design, please.
Where to begin...ugly, out of
Sarah Vineyard HavenWhere to begin...ugly, out of touch (too high, doesn’t fit New England style landscape or architecture), needs solar for sure (that’s a no brainer). I am fed up with the ineptitude of this process. We don’t need anything fancy or glamorous ...keep it simple, functional and attractive.
The lower the profile of this
Carla EDGARTOWNThe lower the profile of this building, the better. Coming down the hill into Woods Hole and seeing the water is part of the whole magical Island experience for visitors. The Village of Woods Hole deserves every consideration, as they tolerate a lot of nonsense in the summer. The SSA built that behemoth on Palmer Ave, why do they need so much administrative space in the terminal?
These designs are horrible.
Stephen G Devine Oak BluffsThese designs are horrible. This is what you get when you hire a Boston architect who seems like they are designing a modern looking building to suit their own tastes instead of designing something that is more indigenous to the area. And the SSA is clearly clueless for even considering these solutions (It should come as no surprise considering the ugly building they recently built for their offices). Aside from providing a properly functioning ticketing facility the building design should provide an expression that this is the gateway to the Vineyard. You have a very long way to go towards accomplishing that. Time for a new Architect and new leadership at the SSA.
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