The Heathcote mill today, yesterday, tomorrow

Project overview
Heathcote Mill is a historic gristmill consisting of about 4,000 square feet, excluding attic storage. Constructed in 1842, the Heathcote mill building is a masonry and wood-frame structure built into a sloped hillside. In addition to a partially below-grade ground floor, full second and partial third floors bring the space to approximately 6,000 square feet. For most of the last half-century, the School of Living community land trust owned the mill building. It is now under the ownership of Heathcote Center, with a School of Living Trust lease on the land itself. The former industrial structure has been renovated and repurposed to include residential, visitor, event, and classroom spaces. Informal and limited renovations over time led to deferments in building code compliance, life safety improvements, and access compliance. In 2018, Baltimore County issued an exception that allowed the building to run public programs and house overnight guests. This opportunity brought considerations of improvements to not only meet requirements but advance the mission of the community and Heathcote Education Center. The project provides code-required accessibility improvements per IEBC and 2010 ADA. Accessibility improvements include a new accessible parking space, a new accessible route from the parking area into the first floor of the building (via a new ramp), improved outdoor lighting, and a new accessible restroom on the First Floor. The current proposal was prepared by JacobsWyper Architects (JWA), under a team led by Michael Carwile and Jamie Wyper. Michael Carwile is our main contact, a longtime friend of Heathcote who has been involved in many of JacobsWyper’s historic renovation projects, including the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and the Gershman Hall Student Center. The renewal of the mill will meet compliance with life safety and building codes and effectively meet program needs, while preserving its historic appearance and materials. Applying universal design principles to all aspects of programming and residential space meets Heathcote’s ongoing commitment to increased access and safety.The mill in Heathcote’s history

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- A large capacity septic system was installed along with improved kitchen facilities.
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- Some members lived in outbuildings without running water, relying on the mill for kitchen and bathroom amenities.
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- The mill also provided space for the Homeschooling Open Classroom, provided amenities for interns and workshop participants, and served as a conference room.
Costs and Planning

Phase 1 costs: $66,800 (scheduled to begin in 2023)
First floor accessible bathrooms, entrance ramps, egress lighting, parkingPhase 2 costs: $29,600
Second floor fire separations, second floor exit and path upgradesPhase 3 costs: $31,600
Third floor exterior stairs, walls, fire separations and alarmsAdditional improvements:
Fire sprinkler system: $132,000 Concrete ramp and metal railings for 2nd fl.: $211,200 Donate
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