Last Friday October 19, close to 200 volunteers descended on the YWCA on N. Highland Avenue to give the 88-year old building a much needed makeover.
Workers inside ripped out and replaced carpet, repainted walls and power-cleaned fixtures. Outside crews focused on pressure washing hard sufaces, trimming branches from trees, replacing rotten timbers in the playground and generally sprucing up the landscaping. Dignitaries were on hand for a dedication and morning photo session.
The volunteers were provided by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia (BOMA) as part of their annual community service project. Scroll down to view photos of the clean-up as it happened. Click on any of the photos for a larger image.
Exterior shot before clean-up.
Volunteers were treated to coffee and pastries before getting to work.
Friendly staff greeted volunteers at the registration table.
These generous businesses sponsored the makeover.
BOMA staff and local elected officials posed for photographs before work began.
Work gets underway in the playground area along Hudson Drive.
Volunteers replaced rotten timbers in the playground area.
Out with the old carpet...
...and in with the new carpet.
Volunteers prep the inside for painting.
New paint going on the walls.
Volunteers had assistance reaching hard-to-get-to places.
Progress was made quickly with so many folks on hand to help.
Volunteers had to reach some tough to get to places.
All the old carpet was removed and new carpet was installed throughout.
Interior fixtures received a deep cleaning.
Stairwells were gutted and cleaned.
The lift was indispensable in reaching the tall ceiling.
Here comes the new carpet.
Pressure washing the front steps.
Trimming limbs from a large tree in the property's front yard.
Volunteers doing some repair work at the entranceway.
More playground work.
Landscaping and timber replacement near the corner of N. Highland Ave. and Hudson Dr.
Pressure washing front sidewalk.
Inside looking newer and cleaner.
'After' shot of front of building, pressure washed and with some spruced-up landscaping.
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia (BOMA) is proud to assist one of Atlanta’s oldest institutions, the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, whose mission is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. BOMA will bring 200 volunteers to the YWCA on Friday, October 19, 2012 to provide a face-lift of the renovated church from the inside and out. The project will be completed in a single day.
Volunteers are scheduled to arrive at the YWCA around 7:00 a.m. Friday. Elected officials are scheduled to arrive between 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. for photographs. Confirmed elected officials that will be present include City of Atlanta Councilmember Alex Wan, Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, State Representative Simone Bell, State Representative Pat Gardner and State Senator Nan Grogan-Orrock.
Built in 1924, the building was originally the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The two-story, Neo-Classical, Revival-style brick building has Doric pilasters and a large pediment on the front facade, a large entablature and round-arched windows on the second floor. The YWCA has occupied the building since 1988.
Check back for a look at the spruced-up ‘Y’ after the project’s complete.
Download PDF (2.8 MB)
– The taming of Piedmont Park – traffic and illegal activity around perimeter of park
– Piedmont Park’s combined sewer overflow controversy – the anatomy of a setback, by I. E. Saporta, architect
– Letter to the editor by Ruthie and Tom Penn-David in cautious support of Summerfest (and not “Drunkfest”)
– A day in the life of Orme Park, by Vicky Favorite and Yvonne Weatherly
– Summerfest opinion – residents and businesses speak out
– Adopted highway “Ponce” needs your help
– Moving right along with (John Howell Park) plans, by Jerry Bright
– Schools update
– What a weekend! Summerfest ’91. Over $2100 raised!
– Doing your share: recycling is so easy in VaHi, by Nan Hunter
– Carefree vacations, by Maggie Baron
– Library forced to reduce hours, services, by Kathy Couch
– The new YWCA offers relief, renewal, by Vicky Favorite
– Report to taxpayers on financial issues affecting the Atlanta Public Schools, by Joseph G. Martin, Jr., president
– Morningside PTA fundraiser has something for everyone, by Ginny Connelly
– Home Alone: Security for children with working parents, by Ken Lavine
– Better bicycling
Download PDF (2.7 MB)
– Meet with the Police about forming a PAC (Partnership against Crime)
– Neighbor profile: Joyce Gross, VHCAA head of public safety
– The VOICE says fight crime
– VOICE mission statement
– Summerfest 1990
– Preservation update, by Nina Gentry
– Council of Intown Neighbors and Schools (CINS), by Barbara Van Dyke
– Ponce de Leon taskforce, by Susan Carroll
– VaHi’s annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race
– The Voice wants to announce the results of your efforts to thwart crime (streets with neighborhood watches)
-Things are picking up: the sequel (recycling), by Nan Hunter
– VaHi color: Mark Draper and Mother’s Tire Company, by Warren Pritchard
– The YWCA comes to VaHi
– What VaHi merchants are doing to deter crime
Download PDF (617 kB)
– John Howell Park planning update
– In memoriam: John Howell
– Graphic (2 pages): John Howell Park plan
Updates:
– 764-784 Ponce Place development to be limited to townhomes and condos, not high-density rental units
– YWCA coming to stie of Spanish Baptist Church
– Thanks to Sharon Bagby and Highland Hardware for revitalizing Triangle,
– Thanks to Shemin Nurseries for donating 10 cherry trees to park
– Virginia-Highland Designer Showhouse was held October 1988 at 1166 St. Charles Place, sponsored by TWIGS, benefiting VaHi Civic Fund and Egleston Hospital
– L.A.M.P. (Living AIDS Memorial Park) aims to develop a national shrine in John Howell Park, where memorial services can be conducted.
