BALTIMORE'S historic Engineering Society headquarters appears to have grown a second skin this winter, as if it's trying to stay extra warm.

The new outer coat consists of plastic sheets over scaffolding that has been set up for crews repairing the brownstone facade of the Mount Vernon landmark, which dates from the 1880s.

The plastic wasn't attached to keep the construction crews warm, though it might have done that. It was put up to keep the building's surface temperature above 40 degrees, so restoration work could proceed when air temperatures fell below freezing.

Heaters at the base of the scaffolding warmed the air inside the plastic wrap, explained Roger Katzenberg, a principal of Kann & Associates, the architectural firm in charge of the restoration.

The contractors put it up "so they could start work sooner. The goal is to get the work done by the May-June wedding season," when many events are scheduled at the building, he said.

The facade repairs represent the first phase of a multifaceted restoration of the former Garrett-Jacobs mansion, which resulted from combining three buildings in the 1800s.

Its owner, the Engineering Society of Baltimore, began planning the restoration several years ago so the building would be usable into the next century.

The primary fund-raising event for the restoration work is the annual Fire Ball. It commemorates Baltimore's Great Fire of 1904 -- which destroyed much of downtown in February of that year -- and the Engineering Society's pivotal role in rebuilding the city afterward.

The black-tie event will begin at 9 p.m. March 13 at the mansion, 11 W. Mount Vernon Place. Tickets are $100, part of which is tax deductible.

Proceeds will benefit the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion Endowment Fund, a charitable organization founded in 1992 to preserve and restore the mansion, the largest and most expensive townhouse constructed in Baltimore. Little of it has been significantly upgraded for decades, though the "supper room" was repainted last year.

A 1995 study by Kann & Associates concluded that the building needs $6.5 million of improvements and repairs, including making the building wheelchair-accessible and replacing outdated mechanical systems.

The facade-stabilization work is the first phase of the project because it's a highly visible activity and because falling pieces of the facade represented a public hazard. Worcester Eisenbrandt Inc. is the stone restoration contractor.

Beneath the plastic cover, workers have been removing waterproof coating applied in the 1970s. They will remove loose pieces of stone, and patch and repoint sections of the facade.

Another large project involves replacing heating, plumbing and mechanical systems, including a boiler more than 50 years old.

The Maryland Historic Trust and Preservation Maryland are among the groups that have granted or lent money to the campaign, which still needs $6 million. Work is being completed as funds allow. Additional information about the Fire Ball, one of Baltimore's most important preservation events, is available from the Engineering Society at 410-539-6914.

West-side redevelopment to be subject of forum

Redevelopment and land acquisition plans for the west side of downtown Baltimore will be discussed during a free public forum at noon Wednesday at the Johns Hopkins University's Downtown Center, Charles and Saratoga streets.

City officials seek passage of City Council legislation that would authorize the city to acquire more than 100 properties as part of a $350 million redevelopment plan for the west side. But local preservationists say they fear the city will tear down buildings that they believe should be preserved. Also, many merchants say they don't want to be displaced.

Representatives of two preservation groups, Baltimore Heritage and Preservation Maryland, will discuss the city's plan and offer a counterproposal. The meeting is sponsored by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation.

Drawings and sketchbooks in AIA Gallery exhibit

Personal drawings and sketchbooks of local artists, architects and designers are featured in an exhibit that opens today at AIA Gallery, 11 1/2 W. Chase St. in Baltimore, and will be on view until March 25.

An opening reception will be held from 5: 30 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m. today as part of Baltimore's First Thursday events along the Charles Street corridor.

Pub Date: 3/04/99