Riverside Black School project

Riverside School Association (RSA), in partnership with Mountain Partners in Community Development an Elkins based non-profit organization has received a WV State Historic Preservation Office Development Grant for the rehabilitation of the historic Riverside Black School located on River Street and Kerens Ave, in Elkins, WV.

History:

Riverside school was built somewhere between 1905 and 1911 originally designed for eight grades, in 1925 a second story was built to expand the school to (10) ten grades. However, in 1928, higher-grade levels were achieved and Riverside became a four-year high school and was proclaimed a legacy of WV Black Academic Excellence. The School closed in 1954 due to desegregation and been used for various purposes’ including a mechanics shop and storage facility. Stabilization has been achieved in part through funding received by the WV Cultural Facilities and Capitol Resources Grant and the current rehabilitation project is funded in part by the WV State Development Grant. The Mission of the Riverside School Association is to save and preserve the old school as an African-American Archives, Museum, and Heritage center. RSA purchased the building in 2009.

The first group picture of Riverside students after 1911

Scope of Work:

• Install French and storm drains; install foundation vents; rebuild joist system and sub floor in central corridor, restore 34 original windows; repoint exterior foundation and brick walls. All work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation. but would include oversight and assistance of volunteer(unskilled, semi skilled)labor(approx.3-10 people)

Stipulations:

• Contractors must possess all required state and local licensures, insurance, and permits for the proper completion of the project.
• Contractor must comply with all state and federal wage rates.
• Work must comply with all of the Secretary of Interiors Standards for Historic Preservation.
• Contractor may bid on all items or on selected item(s). Please give bids on each item individually, not only for the project as a whole. RSA reserves the right to contract on some items but not all, and to contract with different contractors for individual work items as appropriate.
• RSA reserves the right to accept bids individually on the bases of price, experience and inspection of past projects.
• All work must be completed by July 30, 2011

Owner assisted alternatives:

The building owner (RSA) shall provide semi-skilled volunteer labor to the project to assist with some elements of construction. Contractors shall provide proposals reflecting use of such labor. Contractors will be responsible for oversight, direction and completion of project. Proposals that include use and supervision of volunteer labor should include a) description of likely role of contractors and volunteers in completion of task, including training needed or provided; b) an estimate of contractor time and volunteer time needed; and c) a bid price estimate assuming that the estimated volunteer time is delivered. Actual contracts when written will protect contractor in the event that volunteer time is not delivered when promised; the contractor shall provide an hourly rate schedule to establish the unit pricing for such an event.

Qualifications:

Interested bidders must possess experience with historic building rehabilitation.
A minimum of 3 examples of past historic rehabilitations to be provided with bid.
Willingness to work with owner provided volunteer labor on identified tasks.
Possess all needed licenses, permits, bonding and insurance.
Ability to complete the project according to the above specifications and the guidelines.
All bids must be in compliance with all prevailing wage regulations as mandated by the state of West Virginia.

Submissions and Tours:

A  Contractors on –site Meeting will be held 3/4/11, 10 am till 4pm, to tour building, view blueprints and distribute bid packages.

Additional Riverside School Images:   

Graduation at Riverside School

A Riverside School Basketball team

The Riverside School Glee Club  (date unknown)

Gathering for church - Riverside School in Background

Two views of Riverside School in 2009: