SHORELINES

Imagine the heart-stopping thrill of floating above rushing waters. at's the sensation experienced by visitors standing on one of the two Alabama Power Martin Dam spillway observation pavilion balconies high above the water. e cantilevered balconies, which hang more than 12 feet above the spillway, offer a bird's-eye view of the dam powerhouse. "It almost feels as if you're floating," said architect Mike Hamrick. "e view is fantastic from up there. You can see for miles along the lake and both the low side and the high side of the dam." e balconies are a prime feature of the new spillway observation pavilion on the east side of the river across from the powerhouse. e pavilion serves as a welcome and reception area for company guests and school and community groups visiting the dam. "We have a lot of plant tours, especially during the warmer months," said Chris Goodman, Tallapoosa River hydro manager. "e new pavilion will offer a great vantage point where we can show off the dam and talk to these groups about the construction and history of the plant and the spillway. We will also use it as a reception area for company gatherings." e 30-by-30-foot pavilion was unveiled in December 2019 and, yet, it has the look of historic Martin Dam. Dedicated in 1926, the dam is Alabama Power's third- oldest hydro plant and the first built on the Tallapoosa River. e pavilion replaces a small, outdated security and welcome building. Martin Dam is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places because of its engineering and architectural style and the significance of hydro development on the Tallapoosa River in the 1920s. To achieve that turn-of-the-century look, Alabama Power hired Hamrick, historical building expert from Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood (GMC), who led a team that designed the pavilion. Hamrick and GMC have designed many historically accurate structures across Alabama, including the Revolutionary War-era buildings at American Village in Montevallo. Hamrick said the trick to planning the pavilion was to make it appear as if it has always stood across the river from the yellow and red brick powerhouse. "While we can't make the new building historic, we can make it appear as if it was part of the original construction and has always existed," he said. Hamrick achieved the desired effect by using buff- colored brick and mortar that closely resembles the original brickwork of the powerhouse. A red fiberglass dimensional shingle mimics the powerhouse's vintage clay roof. Finally, the ceiling of the pavilion is sky blue – a historically-based treatment for "keeping spiders and dirt dabbers away from that zone," Hamrick said. Along with the observation balconies, the pavilion includes a restroom, for the convenience of visitors. Alabama Power was required to follow protocol to ensure the authenticity of the look of the pavilion. "Our new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires us to consider the significance of Martin Dam before making any additions or modifications," said Bill Gardner, Environmental Compliance engineer. "We also had to take into account the dam's eligibility for the National Register. at meant we had to consult with the Alabama Historical Commission before we could complete the pavilion. As a result of that consultation, the Commission has requested that Alabama Power place signage near the pavilion describing the history and importance of Martin Dam." e signage were installed this year. Seating and picnic tables will also be set up in the pavilion. Goodman said a number of other enhancements will be made throughout the dam site as part of the Hydro Generation modernization effort underway across Alabama Power. ese will include replacing outdated spillway gates and auxiliary systems on the units, and installing a new turbine. e improvements, along with dressing up the facility with new paint, will be completed in time for the dam's 100-year anniversary celebration in 2026. "I'm excited to welcome visitors to the new pavilion," Goodman said. "Martin Dam has a lot of significance in the local community and at Alabama Power, and is part of the founding of our company. e pavilion will be the perfect place to share that amazing story." 10 | 2020

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