Communications from the Architects and Contractor working to rebuild the old courthouse

We’ve been meeting with Johnson & Galyon and our structural engineer, working on the plan for shoring the Courthouse walls and supporting the temporary roof.  The team thought it would be a good idea to share the concept with you in preliminary sketch form, and that is attached.  Since these sketches were done, the team has met again and refined more of the specifics.  The engineer is now working on the drawings that J&G will use for estimating and stabilization.  We believe we are on schedule based on Craig’s timetable.

In a nutshell, the walls of the Courthouse will be shored from the sides with a series of steel and wood braces on temporary footings.  The shoring system will also support the temporary roof, which is being designed for function and economy (it will not resemble the historic roof in shape or material).  The temporary roof will allow enclosure, conditioning, and dehumidification of the interior while the interior stabilization work is underway and the renovation phase is being designed.  The team is also considering the manner in which the temporary roof would be removed in sections for installation of the permanent roof structure, cupola and cornices.

If you would like to discuss the sketches please call me, Arin, David or Craig and we would be happy to walk you through the concept.  We will continue to keep you informed as we move through this process.  Feel free to share this information with the insurance company to keep them in the loop.

Lee

The design and construction teams have collaborated to produce a general timetable of the general tasks associated with stabilization of the existing courthouse. 

A major goal of the stabilization operation is to create an intact building envelope with a functioning temporary HVAC system by early winter.  A temporary roof structure will be required to seal the building envelope and the installation of temporary HVAC will help protect interior masonry from freeze/thaw while simultaneously allowing drying of existing interior construction to remain. 

The below action items, grouped by time period, are listed in no specific order, and are subject to change. 

Should you need this information in another format, on J&G letterhead for example, please let me know and I will have it produced. 

Summer / Late Summer

Survey

Laser scanning of existing building.

Design of temporary facilities.

Information gathering and planning.

Late Summer / Fall

Design of shoring systems and temporary roof structure.

Temporary truss design and fabrication.

Procurement of shoring systems.

Fall / Late Fall

Simultaneous temporary shoring and roof demolition.

Coordinate installation of temporary roof structure with demolition of existing in such a manner as to limit full exposure to the greatest extent possible.  There will be a time period in which the building will be more exposed than it is currently.

Remove damaged and/or compromised exterior brick masonry exposed or discovered during roof demolition.  Stockpile material to be reused on site.

Rebuild structurally compromised brick masonry.

Install temporary shoring for floor systems.

Remove, label and store existing windows.  Secure window openings.

Late Fall / Early Winter

 Remove rubbish and loose debris from interior – remediation of universal waste.

Systematically remove fire- and water-damaged interior finishes.

Remove interior elements to be salvaged (wood doors and hardware, wood trim, chandeliers and medallions, etc.).

While removing interior construction, prepare temporary electrical and mechanical systems to accommodate temporary HVAC systems for conditioning and dry-out of building interior.

Remediate any concealed asbestos.

Activate temporary heat and air systems.

Winter / Spring 2020

Interior dehumidification, monitoring, and mold remediation; duration of dehumidification period is unknown.

Remediate lead paint as needed on existing construction to be re-used and/or remain.

Renovation planning and design.