The lower floors could be utilized as indicated above, with the second floor being offices. This would reduce the amount of reworking of interior walls. However, all of the second floor doors and walls will need to be modified in order to provide a rated fire exit corridor

c. Restaurant/lnn

The building was originally the officer's dining facility as well as their housing. For this reason many of the spaces presently laid out in the building can be retrofitted into dining areas and rooms for overnight stays. There is also an existing kitchen area located in the lower level of the building. Persons attending the Information/Scoping meeting held by Parks in March, 1998 expressed concerns with this alternative.

During the public information/scoping process, concern was expressed that a restaurant in this building could adversely impact the historic murals. Restoration and preservation of the historic value of the murals is recommended in the study of the murals conducted by Dr. Sally Webster, Professor of American Art at Lehman College and the Graduate Center of CUNY. A copy of the executive summary from this report and that of a report by NYSOPRHP Painting Conservator, Joyce Zucker, regarding the current condition of the murals are included in Appendix B. The location of suitable parking and traffic flow is of concern with this alternative.

d. Community Center/Art Gallery

The present building has a number of rooms that could be used as classrooms or meeting rooms, however, new handicapped access, as well as new accessible restrooms would be required. Additionally, the park location is not central to any community which needs a community center. The size of the building is larger than required for such a function and a community center would not generate sufficient funds to support its maintenance and operations. The existing smaller rooms are prohibitive to typical displays in an Art Gallery. Most existing interior walls would need to be removed and humidity and temperature controls would need to be added.

e. Museum/Conference Center

Several organizations and individuals have recommended that the Officer's Club be re-used as a Museum which focuses on the murals and history. Other proposed uses which could be accommodated into a museum facility include art exhibitions, conferences, community events, and offices. This type of multi-use facility would allow the restoration and protection of the building and the murals as well as interpretation of the murals. This alternative would also provide the greatest public access to the building and the murals

f. Conclusions

All of the options will require structural changes to comply with handicap access and emergency egress codes. The addition of an air conditioning system to the facility would provide comfort to the patrons but would require additional changes to the structure. These schemes not only allow for the reuse of the building and respect the historic value of the structure, they also allow funds to be generated for its maintenance. It was thought that schemes a-d would reduce public access to this building, including the significant murals.

The preferred alternative for the Officer's Club is reuse as a Museum/Conference Center. This will be a multi-use facility available for museum and art exhibit activities, office, small conference and meeting uses. The building will also be made available for various community activities.