They've put the "grand" back in New York's Grand Central Terminal. They've created the immigration museum at Ellis Island. They've extended the life of such landmarks as Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mount Vernon.

Now, two of the country's top preservation architects are joining forces to guide restoration of the first Roman Catholic cathedral in North America -- Baltimore's Basilica of the Assumption.

The Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust has selected Beyer Blinder Belle of New York City and John G. Waite Associates of Albany, N.Y., to begin the first phase of a multimillion-dollar project to restore and conserve the neoclassical landmark.

The selection is a critical step in the trust's campaign to upgrade the cathedral for the 21st century and promote it aggressively as a national treasure -- the "mother church" of Catholicism in the United States.

"The more I reflect on the basilica, the more I realize that it should be the symbol of religious freedom in our land and our world, just as the U.S. Capitol is a symbol of political freedom in our land and our world," said Cardinal William H. Keeler, who is leading the restoration effort.

Designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol, Baltimore's basilica has the potential to be "the St. Peter's of the United States," said Wayne Ruth, chairman of the historic trust, a nonprofit group formed to maintain and protect the cathedral.

Douglas McKean, a partner of Beyer Blinder Belle, said his firm has extensive experience restoring one-of-a-kind buildings, and the basilica continues that trend.

"Architecturally, it's a landmark. Its role in Catholicism in the New World is nothing short of extraordinary," he said. "Beyer Blinder Belle is thrilled to be involved. I think we have a world-class team."

Constructed starting in 1806 and dedicated in 1821, the building is officially known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As it approaches its bicentennial, the building needs extensive repairs to its infrastructure, including wiring, plumbing and ventilation systems. Planners also want to upgrade the 1961 air-conditioning system and explore ways to add restrooms, storage space, offices, meeting rooms and a possible subterranean worship area near the crypt.

Trust members have asked the architects to consider reversing changes made in previous decades, including replacing skylights near the dome that allowed natural light into the sanctuary.

The trust also has asked the architects to recommend improvements for the Sexton's Lodge, Cardinal's Residence and Convent nearby.

Trust members want to create a national museum on the grounds to tell the story of American Catholicism and the key role Marylanders have played in the faith's development. The property is bounded by Cathedral, Mulberry and Charles streets and North Alley.

Firms' past projects

Beyer Blinder Belle's previous projects include restorations of Grand Central Terminal, the Main Building on Ellis Island, the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, and the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. With Ayers Saint Gross of Baltimore, it is restoring the Enoch Pratt Free Library across Cathedral Street from the basilica.

Waite has specialized in the restoration of small and medium-sized landmarks, including Davidge Hall, Homewood House and Evergreen in Baltimore; Mount Vernon and Monticello in Virginia; and the Octagon in Washington. Founder John G. Waite is an expert on Latrobe.

Selected over five other teams that bid for the commission, Beyer Blinder Belle and Waite didn't initially propose to collaborate. But after members of the trust's selection panel asked them if they would work together, they agreed to do so.

In their work, the restoration experts plan to employ "nondestructive evaluation" techniques, including sonar-wave and X-ray technology, to assess the building's structural condition.

Web site planned

They also intend to establish a Web site to allow Internet users to follow the progress of the restoration and take "virtual tours."

The Web site will enable viewers to see not only the building's present condition but how it changed over time and how it is being restored. It should be a valuable way to give the project "national reach" and exposure, said Ray Kempisty, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

The trust's tentative schedule calls for the structural report and master plan to be finished by late August and for construction work to begin by mid-2000.

Robert Lancelotta Jr., executive director of the historic trust, said he expects the construction activity to be an attraction in itself. "We want to use this opportunity to enable people to see a cathedral during restoration," he said. "In this country, it doesn't happen very often."

Although the archdiocese's Heritage of Hope campaign has raised nearly $3 million for basilica design and restoration work, planners figure they need several million dollars more. An exact cost will not be determined until the architects finish the master plan.

They hope to raise all the necessary funds in time to complete the restoration by 2006 -- the 200th anniversary of the beginning of construction.

"If it can be done sooner," Keeler said, "we'll ring the bells even louder."

Pub Date: 3/04/99