EXTERIOR
The William O. Douglas Federal Building occupies a 150' x 140' corner site at South Third and Chestnut Streets in downtown Yakima. Nearly square in plan (118' x 126') the three story structure with a full basement was constructed in three stages. The original three-story building, completed in 1912, measured 118' x 72' with the front on South Third Street facing west. A small, one-story structure was added at the rear (east) in 1926. In 1940, the 1926 addition was removed and two, three-story wings were added to the east, extending the north and south facades. These wings were connected by a one story unit that established the present square footprint. Two stories were added to the one-story section in 1987 filling in the court created by the 1940 wings. Also in 1987 the interior was remodeled and HVAC and electric systems were upgraded to current standards.
The building, which occupies most of the site, has a 13' front setback from South Third Street and a 4' setback along Chestnut Street. Setback areas are primarily covered with grass. The north side of the building abuts a parking and loading area that was enclosed with an ornamental metal fence and gates in 1987. To the east (rear) of the building is a fenced parking lot that was enclosed in 2009.
The original structure has concrete spread footings, a steel frame, reinforced concrete floors and exterior brick walls faced with granite at the base and Indiana limestone at the upper floors. Original facades were symmetrical about both axes and were designed in the style of the Second Renaissance Revival. The front elevation is organized into nine bays with the central seven bays forming a pavilion that projects outward two feet from the corner bays. Horizontally, the facade is divided by a belt course at the second floor level and a full entablature at the roof line. Adding a touch of the Beaux Arts are the two story engaged Ionic columns that articulate the pavilion bays.
The first story exterior features a rusticated stone pattern, rectangular windows at the corners and round arched windows and doors with radiating voussoirs in the central pavilion. Public entrances, located at the outer bays of the pavilion, are reached by granite stairways which are flanked with nine-foot tall bronze, pedestal light fixtures topped with round, glass globes. Arched windows have double hung sash and fan-light transoms.
Second and third story windows are rectangular. In the central pavilion, window openings feature broken pediments supported by consoles. All window openings have projecting stone sills supported by corner brackets. The entablature features a plain architrave and frieze and a block modillion course under the molded cornice. Above the cornice is a balustraded parapet with a plain coping.
Original elevations at the north and south closely match the design of the front: projecting central pavilion with arched windows at the first story and pedimented openings at the second level. Pavilion bays at the second and third stories are framed with Ionic pilasters.
ADDITIONS and ALTERATIONS
The 1940 addition continues the original design and materials on the southerly wing. The only difference from the original design is in the entablature where the block modillion course has been replaced with a torus molding. The northerly wing of the 1940 addition is in the same basic design as the south wing but is faced with buff colored brick above the granite base and below the stone entablature.
Later alterations to the west facade include: black anodized aluminum and glass entry doors that were added in 1987 (original revolving doors at the entries were replaced with hollow metal swinging doors in 1940); granite entrance steps (1987); and a ground level doorway in the northerly bay for handicap access (1987).
The 1987 infill on the east at the second and third floors continued the spirit and some of the substance of the original design. Brick facing is similar to the 1940 brick. The stone entablature is reduced to two simple horizontal bands. The parapet, which aligns with the original, also has a plain stone surface.
Security measures were added after 2003 to protect the building and its users. Bollards line the west and south streets (South Third and Chestnut Streets). The gated driveway at the north, between South Third Street and the alley and parking lot to the east, also prevents access. Landscaping was reduced to grass and a few shrubs to provide a clear view of the building.
INTERIOR - 1st Floor
The original first floor was entirely occupied by the post office with the primary public space being the west and south lobbies. Post office windows and boxes were framed in round arched openings, matching the window arches in the west elevation. The north bay in the lobby contained the Postmaster's Office. Floors are terrazzo with dark marble borders. Base and wainscot are gray, "Vermont Light Cloud Rutland" marble. Walls are of plain plaster. The beamed ceiling, also in plaster, is finished with classical moldings. Doors, sash, post office windows and other wood trim are in oak with a natural varnish finish. At the south end of the lobby is a stairway wrapping the elevator, both access the second and third floor and the basement. The stairs feature marble treads with wood handrail. The elevator hoist way has ornamental plaster at the corners. The 1940 lobby alterations included: wood frame and glass vestibules at the public entrances and modification of post office windows.
The post office moved to new quarters in the early 1970s and the space east of the lobby (the original postal workroom) was converted to offices for the Social Security Administration in 1987. The two post office windows at the north side of the south lobby were remodeled as display cases for interpreting the career of Justice William O. Douglas.
The Postmaster's office was originally located at the north end of the lobby. In 1987 it was removed and the lobby was extended north with stairs and a handicap stair lift leading to a ground level lobby at the handicap entrance door. The style, details, and materials of this entrance and staircase replicates the south stairs. In 1992 this area was again remodeled; the lift was removed and an elevator was installed to access the basement and first floor only. This elevator meets current ADA Standards. Lighting in this area, specifically the wall sconces, are not historically appropriate for the building, and these same style sconces are also found at the south stairway. See Space Type: LOBBY/CORRIDORS/STAIRCASES: 1st - 3rd Floors for light fixture recommendations.
COURTROOM - 1st Floor
In 1992 the first floor was again remodeled to provide for a new Magistrate's Courtroom and Chambers, and USMS space. The courtroom design replicates elements from the original lobby. Doors serving the courtroom were installed at the center bay in the lobby (doors and framing match original details). Lighting, however, is inappropriate in style and scale for the courtroom and will be replaced in 2009 with pendant fixtures, the sconces will remain.
Security measures were enlarged and moved to the lobby immediately inside the northwest entrance in 2008. Visitors must now enter through the northwest doors and pass through a security clearance system - a magnetometer - and pass items through x-ray examination equipment. The x-ray system and security guards are enclosed in a six-foot high, oak-framed and Plexiglas paneled workstation that is too large for the lobby. Windows at the first floor southeast corner, south, east, and north elevations have also been altered: bullet-proof glazing was installed for security purposes.
INTERIOR - 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor
Classical detailing is continued in the second floor corridor, courtroom, and offices. Beamed ceilings in the corridor match the plaster detailing of the first floor lobby. Corridor walls are plaster with oak chair rail and marble base. Original terrazzo and marble floors were covered with carpet in 1987 and again in 2009 Doors to the courtroom are of particular interest: original, paneled oak, bi-parting, pocket doors to the corridor are intact. Paneled oak swinging doors with glass vision panels were installed in 1987 at the interior of the original door opening. The 1987 courtroom doors replaced swinging doors that were finished at the interior with pigskin secured in place with brass tacks in a decorative pattern. These doors also had oval vision windows. These leather and brass tack doors are standard for historic courtrooms and should be replaced.
The original two-story courtroom, 36' x 56' and 22' high, is basically intact: paneled plaster walls, oak doors and door frames similar to those in the corridor, oak wainscot, and ornamental plaster ceiling. Acoustic fabric was added to the large, framed wall panels that imposes upon the historic feeling of the room. The courtroom was originally illuminated with gas and electric lighting. The current lighting in the Courtroom consists of large, ceiling-mounted, fluorescent fixtures that are not appropriate for the historic space.
Although partitions have been added and removed, most second and third floor office spaces retain historic elements: paneled doors, molded casings, baseboards, and chair rail, all in varnished oak. These wood details are simpler and smaller in profile in both the 1940 and 1987 alterations and additions. Original wood floors have been carpeted and acoustical tile ceilings were installed in 1987.
When the east addition was being planned in 1985 it was decided to retain and enclose the original, limestone faced, exterior east wall within the new interior corridor space. A two-story, three-foot wide void - extending the length of the third floor east corridor - was maintained along the east wall. An ornamental metal railing was installed along the length of the third floor corridor at the edge of the opening. Spanning the length of the ceiling above is a skylight at the roof that illuminates the corridor and the original limestone wall. Natural light washes the wall at the third floor level and through the length of the three-foot wide opening to the second floor level also.
RESTROOMS
Original men's restrooms are generally intact on the first, second, and third floors. Second and third floor restrooms have terrazzo floors, marble stall walls and wainscoting, paneled oak stall doors, oak framed mirrors, and plaster walls and ceilings. Original plumbing fixtures were replaced in 1940. The women's restrooms were added at the second and third floors in 1940. These rooms have the same elements as the men's rooms except for the first floor women's restroom; this space was completely remodeled with metal stalls, vinyl flooring, and modern plumbing fixtures, and finishes.
ADA RESTROOMS
At each floor, ADA accessible restrooms were added in 1987. These small restrooms were created from adjacent spaces resulting in unisex restrooms with plumbing fixtures to serve the needs of handicapped building users.
HEATING and AIR CONDITIONING
Original cast-iron steam radiators, converted to hot water in 1987, have been maintained in the first floor lobby. Most of the original radiators were replaced with fin pipe in 1987. New boilers and an air cooling system were also installed in 1987. In 1992 a new air conditioning system was installed for the first floor. Also see the 2003 Building Engineering Report.
ELECTRICAL and LIGHTING
Lighting in the 1912 structure was originally both gas and electric. While none of the original fixtures remain in place, a few gas outlets are extant throughout the building. (One of the simple pipe original fixtures that was removed is located in the basement storage room). During the 1940 remodeling, the entire building was rewired and new light fixtures were installed in the corridors. Some of these fixtures are intact - the copper pendant lights in the first floor lobby. In the remainder of the building, later inappropriate lighting replaced originals; square or rectangular, ceiling-mounted, fluorescent fixtures were installed at the second and third floor corridors and upper floor offices and several wall sconces at stairways. Light fixture types/styles and fixture numbers according to those specified in the 1939 remodel are noted for replacement in the following inventory of spaces. Some of these have already been reproduced by St. Louis Antique Lighting Company and are immediately available. All zone 1 & 2 areas should have original fixtures returned. Original telephone cabinets are intact at the second and third floors. In 2009 the fire alarms are scheduled for replacement. Also see the 2003 Building Engineering Report.
PARKING LOT
In 2009 the parking lot at the east (southeast corner of Chestnut and South 4th Streets) was reconfigured to create a more secure enclosed parking area. A primary entrance/exit gate is located at the east on south 4th Street with a secondary gate at the south - Chestnut Street. A card reader/key pad is positioned at the east gate for user entry.
U.S. General Services Administration
