Article date: January 24, 2000
Company hired for Avtex renovation

The company that designed Warren County’s courthouse addition and new administrative complex, dBF Associates, was hired Friday to design the renovation of the Avtex front office building, ending a national search for an architect to plan the first project in the revitalization of the Superfund site.

The Front Royal Warren County Economic Development Authority unanimously approved the award of that contract at its regular meeting Friday morning.

The McLean based firm presented the lowest bid of four at $38,000. The highest bid was $85,000 from Greenfield International of Cambridge, Mass.

The authority expects to take ownership of the 500-acre Avtex site by March. The 13,200 square foot building will be renovated to an ecoindustrial park that uses innovative, resource saving technologies, authority Director Stephen A. Heavener said.

The renovation should cost about $450,000 and be completed by the summer.

"The building is an excellent example of early industrial architecture with high ceilings, oak wall panels and parquet floors," the request for proposals for architectural services says. "The intent is to preserve as much of the interior as possible."

Heavener said Friday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be responsible for overseeing the removal of asbestos and lead paint from the building.

The authority was seeking architects with "green" development experience.

Firm President Daniel J. deBetencourt has designed and built "many structures, which utilize passive and active solar systems."

The firm also has considerable experience renovating older buildings, including four buildings this year that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Heavener said he hopes the office building will set the standard for the resource sensitive development for the remainder of the site.

A business park is planned for the eastern half while the western half has been set aside for conservation and recreation.

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