Broad Fields of Study Planned in New Naval Reserve Building; nearing completion in March 1949.
The Ithaca Journal, March 17, 1949, Page 5. via Newspapers.com
"A glistening new building at the headwaters of Cayuga Lake is rapidly nearing completion and dedication late this Spring.
It will be headquarters and training center for naval reservists of Ithaca and vicinity. The so-called headhouse is of fluted aluminum construction with glass wool insulation backed up by steel.
This unit faces Cayuga St. Extension near the Stewart Park entrance and is backed up by three Butler-type aluminum structures containing classrooms, laboratories, workshops, and a garage. It will be the most extensive and modern naval reserve training center in Upstate New York.
Operation of these technical devices, maintenance and repair will be taught under the guidance of regular Navy men such as Lt. Comdr. Milton Zimmerman who has been appointed inspector-instructor of the reserve base with Chief Joseph McPartland as his aide. They will have charge of several enlisted technicians to assist the members of various organized reserve units, The Ithaca Power Squadron, a civilian reserve unit, is expected to receive training here also.
Although the original contract called for an expenditüre of $254,000 for erection of the Butler-type buildings and head house, costs are expected to run close to $400,000 as a result of additions and improvements. Sanitary sewer installations, landscaping, creation of off-street parking areas and other undertakings have added to the costs.
Leonard Miscall, Ithaca architect-engineer who served 4 years in World War 2 as a commander of a Seabee regiment, designed the structure. He is a former chairman of the Ithaca Planning Commission and former commissioner of Public Works. After the war he was a special envoy to China in the service of the United Nations National Relief Administration."