The El Dorado Historic District Commission has signed off on a project that will enhance security features at the El Dorado Federal Center, 101 N. Jackson.
The EHDC approved Certificate of Appropriateness application that was presented Nov. 10 by local architect Blake Dunn, of CADM Architecture, Inc.
Dunn presented the COA request and outlined the project on behalf of building owner Pete Dunn (no relation), a Virginia-based real estate developer who has familial ties to Union County and owns several downtown properties, including the Armstrong building, which houses PJ's Coffee and the El Dorado Creamery, and the building that is historically known as the (Social) Security Building at 215 - 217 E. Main.
Certificates of Appropriateness are required for most exterior projects within the city's commercial historic district.
The federal center previously housed the U.S. Postal Service and is now a privately-owned property that is home to federal courts and the El Dorado Division of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Blake said the proposed project will help improve security measures for the U.S. Marshals, court staff and the general public.
Interior spaces that are occupied by the USMS are scattered about the building and the marshals are consolidating the spaces -- including administrative offices, prisoner processing room and detention cells -- onto the lower levels of the federal center, Blake said.
He explained that the available space within the EFC does not satisfy the programmed square footage that is specified by the USMS and the U.S. General Services Administration.
With plans to relocate USMS operations, the intent of the project is to create a secured, vehicle sallyport in the rear parking lot of the federal center and to enclose a portion of the loading dock to comply with federal square-footage specs.
The sallyport is required by the USMS to transport defendants to court and in order to comply with the requirement, a portion of the parking lot, just east of the loading dock, will be enclosed with high-security palisade fencing.
"The main concern has been that when (defendants) are brought into court or have been arrested, there is no clear way for them to get to court without crossing paths with the public or with staff," Blake said.
He said the middle portion of the loading dock would be enclosed, leaving about 25 feet of space that will continue to function as a loading dock.
He also said the same brick and mortar will be used to match existing building materials.
"We're trying to minimize the enclosure and not disrupt the rhythm of existing construction. The columns will also still be there," Blake said.
"Is this a common feature for courthouses?" EHDC chairman Ken Bridges asked.
"It is and this is one of the ones that hasn't been improved," Blake said.
Elizabeth Eggleston, executive director of the EHDC, noted that in addition to criminal cases, civil trials and other federal court proceedings are also held in the EFC.
She asked if the project would affect access to civil courts.
Dunn said the elevator provides "full access" to all three floors of the EFC.
"There will be no public on the south end of the building. All of the public will be on the north end of the building so they won't have to cross paths with (defendants)," Blake said.
Commissioner Steve Biernacki asked what course of action the federal government could take if the EHDC did not approve the COA.
Blake said he believes the federal government would have the ability to override the EHDC's decision, adding, "You would get a lot of push-back from the courts here."
Commissioner Linda Rathbun said she wished there was a function in the building that was available for community use.
Biernacki, who is the executive director of the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society, said that when the group conducts historic walking tours downtown, they typically start at the EFC.
"We tell people how pretty it is but we can't go in there," Biernacki said.
Commissioners and Blake noted previous discussions about possibly converting the EFC into a mixed-use property and even opening a restaurant in the building.