September 2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Timothy Klusczinski, President, Historic Preservation Commission — Sen. 17, 2012 page 3 Frost Estimated Cost To Secure & Stabilize the Avon's FaVade: Frost Engineering & Consulting, Inc. of Mishawaka, IN, has provided two estimates as to the costs for shoring up and keeping the fagade right where it is and building a structural back-up system to make it stable before attempting to demolish the rest of the building. These costs DO NOT include the costs of restoring and replacing the terra cotta tiles that are badly deteriorated and are about to fall from the building (see the Grunwell-Cashero report below and enclosed for terra cotta restoration estimates). Below are two estimates from Frost Engineering to build a supporting structure behind the fagade to stabilize and support it. They can be found in Appendices C and D of the FEC report. This assumes that the rest of the present building would be demolished: 1. $350,000 for a Steel frame support structure, and 2. $300,000 to $320,000 for a Concrete frame support These are preliminary cost estimates by FEC. This frame support structure, whether steel or concrete, must be built before any demolition of the remaining building can be attempted because of the delicate condition of the Avon's terra cotta facade. The Frost report is enclosed for your review. The structural engineers who performed the inspection will present their findings at both the public hearings, the hearing that will be conducted by the Historical Preservation Commission on September 17, 2012 and the hearing that will be conducted by the South Bend Common Council on September 24, 2012. Grunwell-Cashero Co., Inc.: Also enclosed is the report from the Grunwell-Cashero, Co., Inc. of Detroit, MI that confirms that many of the terra cotta tiles appear to be loose and may be in danger of falling. The company's Senior Project Manager, Lawrence L. Darling, after his own inspection, described the condition of the Avon's fagade as "a house of cards," meaning that, if any detached and loose terra cotta tiles were to slip out of the joints around them and fall, other tiles above and around it would probably fall as well. Mr. Darling's first report, as the Library requested, provided only the cost for removing and storing all of the terra cotta units on the facade (estimated to cost about $69,000) and this estimate was dated August 3, 2012. Mr. Darling's second report, dated September 6, 2012, also requested by the Library, includes the first option plus three additional options for progressively completing an entire restoration of the fagade. This second report contains more detail and description of the problems that the Library faces with the terra cotta fagade in its present condition, along with estimated costs for each option. Grunwell-Cashero Estimated Cost To Restore the Avon's Terra Cotta FaVade: The Grunwell-Cashero Company of Detroit, MI is a recognized specialist in building restoration, rehabilitation and preventive maintenance and has been in business wince 1953. This Detroit based company with offices in Toledo and Cleveland, has specialized in terra cotta restoration for over 50 years. They claim to be dedicated to restoring and maintaining the structural integrity and architectural esthetics of all types of structures including historic Recipient of the 2009 Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence www.libra_ryforlife.org