Let There Be Light......There was Light

My new favorite day was today........

Demolition officially happened about a year ago. But, back then we didn't remove the stairs from the first floor because, well, there'd have been no way to get up to the second floor. Two major events happened today:

1. The stairs were removed and
2. Windows that had been bricked up were reopened

So there's a temporary problem created now. You can't get to the upper floors unless you use a REALLY TALL ladder (there's 16' between floors so the ladder needs to be at least 20'; and even then I wouldn't want to climb it). This problem will be remedied when the new stairs are framed in.

The stairs were removed to make room for the brick masons. In the picture you can see them working, repairing the brick in the openings they created. It's amazing how much light gets in. And it's amazing looking at the wide open spaces. And the hyrogliphics/sayings that were written on the walls in places just now being seen again......some of that isn't printable on my family blog.

Oh, click on the photo to enlarge it and then look at the ceiling joists near the back of the building. Notice how many of them have been cut away over the years? That's not supposed to have been done. Floor/Ceiling joists should span the entire structure to support weight and prevent sagging. Wonder even more how there wasn't a major disaster in the building???!!!

Much progress today. It is my new favorite day.

More History/There's Friedman's

Most of the demolition is complete. The storefront is coming down. Pulling up the wood planks that were the entrance reveals this tile walkway.

Appraisal Returned

The appraisal came back today and was very near the amount that I needed it to be. This means the bank will loan me the money needed for construction. So, onward toward Building Permits and City Approvals.

The appraisal process was interesting: no buildings in the downtown core have been built, refurbished and then resold. So, what's the basis for the folks performing the appraisal to make their estimates? This posed some challenges. In the end, the building's appraised value = Purchase Price (approved during purchase loan) + Construction Cost.

I've been reassured that NO buildings for sale after refurbishment is a good thing for me as it shows the building is a good investment and will climb in value. I'll know in time.

Demolition is nearly complete. The visual impact of removing the "stuff" is significant. The space looks cool. Very cool. But it also looks empty and the task to make it seem like a home appears more daunting. I'll take some pictures this weekend.

Toilets and Dumpsters and Permits, Oh My!

I've been excited to find a toilet before, but never for this reason. The arrival of the toilet and dumpster means demolition work begins full-force......

Work Begins......sort of

Demolition contracts signed. Self-Help consulted and location for dumpster and toilets are confirmed. I'm added as an endorsement to the contractors insurance policy. City plans are being drawn up to decide what portion of the front sidewalk can be blocked for purpose of barricade once the front comes down.

The work that goes on behind the scenes to get to complete major milestones is significant. I'm glad Scott is so diligent and is working on my behalf.

Unknowns that must become knowns before the end of demolition phase.....

• Access to back entrance and rain water management
• Construction loan details
• Where (if) to move the loft space
  

It seems opportunity for tax credits will be reduced if I continue with the plan to cut-out the third floor near the front of the building. Historic preservationist are concerned the "loft" will be visible from the street (it will) which would conflict with the period look. So, I need make some decisions about tax credits and possibility to move the loft to another portion of the interior.

More soon when actual demolition begins.

Demolition Permit Granted

Permit submitted and approved. Demolition contract will be signed tomorrow. Work should begin very soon.

Danny Mac took a bunch of photos today of the interior. I will find a way to host some of the photos for posterity sake. Dan had spent time inside 308 when it was a dance club. There's a photo of he and Kelli on the cover of a local newspaper that I'd love to find. Anyway, he didn't quite remember Ringside looking as it does today. That's unfortunate on many levels. But, mostly today because Ringside was once a vibrant part of the Triangle scene.

Even though I've had a couple of months to adjust, it still seems like a daunting series of tasks to turn this space into a home and business.

Repeating History

Oh, how I want to replace the existing storefront. I think it a face only a parent could love. Since I'm the parent and I don't love it, my child is under investigation for cosmetic surgery.....

A plug here for the architect, Scott; he likes the existing storefront. Maybe one needs a trained eye to appreciate its uniqueness.

We met today with City/State preservation experts to advise us on the possibilities of a building face lift. There was some risk they could tell me I MUST refurbish and leave the existing structure. This seems a more remote response after today's meeting.

Historic preservation of street facing facades seems to fall under consideration of two guiding principles: 1) existing structure is deemed historic if greater than 50 years old and 2) "pre WWII" structures come under significant approval rigor before granting renovation allowances.

We've confirmed my existing storefront was built after 1942; perhaps in the 50's or 60's by the Friedman's Jewelry family who operated out of this location. We can also confirm the "original storefront" was NOT recessed. This provides some confidence I might be able to put it back nearer its original configuration and have some flexibility in the design. But, for now it goes back to the City Preservation counsel for consideration and future guidance.

Meanwhile, I can not start demolition on the storefront. My considerations pending counsel review:

• existing storefront renders approximately 200 sq. ft. of space useless for modern commercial/retail business requirements
  
• maintaining historical integrity is important to me - the definition of "historical" will be interesting
  
• interior ground floor needs more light which would occur by removing recessed entrance
• eligibility and receipt of Historic Tax Credits may swing possibilities for my future renovations
• I'm not in love with the existing storefront (this needs mentioning often)
  

Check out the folks at endangereddurham. They do a great job of digging up property history and photographs of the Downtown Durham area. Here's a link to their review/photographs of my building (308westmain).