Brick Work at Palace Forces Sidewalk Closure

By Amber Lester Kennedy Saturday, February 26, 2011

A portion of the brick façade that covers a retaining wall at the Governor’s Palace will have to be replaced, which will force a sidewalk closure next week.

A structural engineer’s assessment found that the concrete wall is structurally sound, but an 80-foot section of the brick façade must be replaced, according to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The wall is behind the Governor’s Palace.

The first phase of the work will install temporary bracing to reinforce the façade. Workers will begin the project on March 1, at which time the sidewalk on the south side of Lafayette Street will be closed temporarily to pedestrians. The sidewalk will likely reopen by March 4.

The second phase of the work, which will involve removing and replacing the existing brick façade, will happen in the fall.

Although Colonial Williamsburg has its own brickyard, the foundation will use an outside supplier to closely match the existing brick. The brick will be laid in the era’s characteristic Flemish bond style, which alternates bricks long and short in the same row. Spokesman Tom Shrout said the foundation’s Historic Trades brickmakers are focused on making bricks to Anderson’s Blacksmith Shop and Public Armoury, two upcoming construction projects.