Hotel Aiken's awnings and portico structure to be removed

Matthew Christian, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Jun. 15—The city of Aiken will soon take another step to stabilize the Hotel Aiken until the building's future can be determined.

The city announced Thursday that work to remove the building's awnings and the portico structure facing Richland Avenue will begin Wednesday, June 21 and conclude Thursday, June 22.

A news release from the city says these features are not original to the building and historic preservation consultants reviewed the structure and found they do not contribute to the overall structure.

Aiken Economic Development Director Tim O'Briant said May 2 the story is that the portico is located within the right of way owned by the South Carolina Department of Transportation and was added over a weekend after the city's building inspector went home on a Friday evening.

The city also recently completed work on the hotel's roof. O'Briant and Community Development Project Manager Sabina Craig told the Design Review Board on May 2 repairs had been made to the building's roof to eliminate water leaks and resultant damage to the structure.

The Design Review Board is involved with the Hotel Aiken's maintenance due to a request received last year to consider whether the structure was being demolished by neglect of the owner, the Aiken Municipal Development Commission. As per its usual procedure, the board is working with the owner — and the soon-to-be owner, the city — to improve and stabilize the structure while its future is being determined.

At the meeting, Craig showed pictures in a PowerPoint presentation of the work being completed over a two-week period. The pictures showed the installation of crickets — bumps that direct the flow of water to points off the roof — and the covering of the crickets with a leak prevention substance known as a membrane. The presentation also showed the installation of a heavy tarp for the shingled parts of the roof and the installation of plyboard in holes where water was entering the building.

O'Briant said at the meeting the next step was to apply to the Design Review Board for permission to remove the decayed awnings and to remove the portico structure.

The news release adds the city received permission from the board May 22.

The sidewalks between 101 Laurens St. S.W. and 235 Richland Ave. W. will be closed between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow the work to take place.

The hotel's future will be determined via a request for proposal issued by the city.