PROJECT HISTORY

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Historic Dow School

Michael Gaertner & Associates, architects specializing in rehabilitation of historic structures, studied the 1912 Dow School Building located at 1900 Kane Street in Houston, Texas. Concluding the Building Evaluation and Master Planning studies, the architects made qualitative and quantitative judgments to determine the project feasibility.

MECA is the not for profit organization utilizing the Dow School building and grounds as a multi-purpose community and educational center, focusing on arts education. The thriving program has significant additional space requirements to continue the existing educational programs, as well as, serve the community needs. The existing school building, retired from the Houston Independent School District, serves as the center for the MECA program. With numerous additions, Dow School is situated on one-half of a city block and is located in the "Old Sixth Ward" at 1900 Kane Street in central Houston, Texas. The building as it presently exists, encompasses 45,000 square feet, has three floors configured in a U-shape and two one-story rectangular additions. The "cafetorium" is situated between the two, three story wings. MECA, Multi-cultural Education and Counseling through the Arts, provides educational activities for youths and adults and is integral in the community and necessary to the local neighborhood. The present day Dow School building is the second building named after Justin E. Dow and has historic ties to the neighborhood dating from 1885.

Michael Gaertner and Associates, the MECA board and MECA staff, project consultants, neighbors and the project team began the planning and evaluation process in July 2001 by interviewing staff members and evaluating existing programming requirements. Individual interviews and group meetings provided the team with beliefs and opinions regarding the physical building, the grounds, the programs, the goals, the opportunities, and the direction the MECA educational program should follow. A series of Focus Groups solicited statements and provided additional input. A neighborhood presentation and open discussion pointed out additional program opportunities and concerns.

In conjunction with programmatic goals, the physical structure was evaluated. Construction professionals and material suppliers joined the team to analyze realistic construction options and provide accurate pricing. Construction techniques were evaluated and recommendations submitted. Michael Gaertner and Associates completed the review and analysis, compiled the information, formulated recommendations, and organized the pricing, schedules and project goals.

The building requires substantial renovation for safety, esthetic, historic, and preservation purposes. The evaluation and planning study completed by the Dow School renovation team demonstrates the feasibility of re-development of the Historic Dow School building.

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