And she's buying a stairway......

I'm on the 3rd floor with my back to Main Street. The stairs lead up to the roof deck (notice the light on the wall at the top of photo).

I like the stairs more everyday. And I've always liked them so that's saying a bunch. The risers are a steel beam and the treads are wood. These treads are temporary; the permanent treads are made of reclaimed wood from floor and ceiling joist.

Notice a couple of details that I hope the Historic folks let me keep. The bricked in door behind the stairs used to lead to the building next door. I love it. It was bricked in with less than perfect masonry work, giving it a very authentic look. I hope I can leave it as it is. The other detail is the writing on the wall that you can just see at the top right hand corner of the photo (black and white block lettering). This is advertisement of W. R. Murray and Sons music store that was in the building next door that I wrote of the "murder mystery". I definitely don't want to cover that up.

They sing: I'm on Top of the World

The rooftop deck is finished (mostly). Here is the view you get when stepping out onto the deck near sunset.

Excellent!

The decking is wood (not composite that was scheduled but changed for cost reduction). The rails are 1/4" x 1.5" iron; with steel cables strung horizontal and capped by a handrail that is made of stainless steel. Iron gates are made of the same material. The effect is perfect; you feel secure but look through the railing as if it isn't there.

The other view is looking back at the structure that now pops up off the original roof. The walls are concrete board painted gray. The roof of the structure is galvanized aluminum, with an aluminum gutter that feeds a rain-barrel.

The windows let sunlight in; sort of acting like a functional skylight feeding both living floors. A slight overhang will provide some shade from the midday sun. But, in late afternoon it washes the walls with an orange glow. Awesome!

You get a better look at the rails and gate from this view. Again, notice that you see them when you look at them but they go away when you're looking at something else.

More singing "....looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find....".

Blue Tarp = Rooftop Structure

(you might click the photo to enlarge)

Ok, the rooftop structure is taking shape. Framing is complete and Tyvek is wrapped around it. The photo was taken last weekend when rain was expected, so the structure was covered by a big blue tarp.

Rooftop Construction

Work, life and building decisions are getting in the way of progress documentation. Oh, and taxes. This has been an extremely challenging year of administration related to taxes owed to the US and Canadian government. Alas, these are not related to Downtown living so I'll keep those stories for my All Things Inevitable blog......

Construction started last week on the rooftop structure and deck. Here are the beginnings of that work; the metal framing that will support it all. Notice the natural slope of the roof. We intend to maintain that by suspending the deck structure above the roof, allowing water to run freely below. Suspending the decking will also keep weight off the roof framing and allow for a level walking surface.

Here is a view from down the street; an area called Five Points. The big blue tarp is the rooftop structure you see framed above. I have one of the best views of the Hill Building (the building with the flag) because my roof is 40' above views from the street. Much more to follow on the rooftop as construction continues.

Holes in Roof = Rain on Floors

You ever notice that when you cut holes in your roof, the rain hits your floors?

Of course not. You're not stupid enough to cut holes in your roof. And if you did, you'd have a plan to repair it straight away.

Not me. My plan was to cut a hole in the roof and then figure out how to build a structure on the hole to keep the rain out. But it takes time to figure it out. And there are approvals to be had. And materials to hoist onto the roof. And temporary structures to build in failed attempts to keep tarp down. But rain water fills up tarp, forcing it to sink into the hole and let the water in.

The project is going well despite some hurdles.......

I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin' down on a sunny day?

Two floors become one

I really like this shot because it shows the relationship between both floors. On this floor is the closet on the left, bathroom/shower behind that and then utility closet on the right with the stairwell coming up to it.

In front of me is the loft opening to the second floor. I love the way you can see the entire space.

The windows are set to come in this week, as are the stairs up to the roof. Following that will be the roof-structure which will finally dry the place in. Southern thunderstorms drive me crazy knowing the rain is soaking my new (old) floors.

A View from Bull McCabe's

Nothing much to write except this is a view of my building from my local pub, Bull McCabe's. Click the photo to enlarge it and scroll to the bottom. There you'll see the top of my building behind & beside the green and white street sign.

Now, scroll back up and look at the sky. All this madness and concern are lost when we have days like this in Durham.

Federal Approval: Sort of

Phase II of the Department of Interiors assessment of my building plans came back today. Obviously, getting it back is a HUGE amount of good news. We now know something. However, it was not necessarily good news. Here are a couple of areas we need to address (paraphrased):

1. Replacement Storefront: must be compatible with the appearance, size, design, proportions and profiles of a traditional historic storefront........Photos of completed work must be submitted.
2. Replacement windows must match the appearance, size, design, proportions and profiles of the existing. Comparable detailed drawings of existing and proposed must be submitted and approved by SHPO and National Park Services before proceeding.
3. Proposed rooftop addition must not significantly impact the historic roofline of the building. Construction of a mock-up and photographs of mock-up from "each surrounding right-of-way and keyed to the historic district map must be reviewed and approved".
4. Retaining historic plaster walls in a deteriorated condition does not meet the Standards and must be repaired. Photographs of the completed work must be submitted.
5. The proposed two-story space within the upper level apartment must be reduced in size. A preferable alternative was proposed. New plans must be submitted.
6. New mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems must be installed in a manner consistent with the historic character of the building. Ductwork must be set back from storefront and painted. Photographs of completed work must be submitted.

If you can read between the lines and know me well, then you'll know some of this is disappointing to me. However, you'll also know that my optimism will change my outlook in about a minute. (tick, tock, tick, tock)

There, that is better. What is all the fuss about?

Renovations began this week

Here Kimberly and David stand in front of the "art wall" where Kimberly has painted the announcement that "Renovation begins APR20". (and she appears to be holding up a pineapple....not sure what that means). The sign at the top was made so that when the wall comes down there is still some advertisement.

The water line has been moved and inspected. Concrete has been broken to allow footers (front store posts and stair) to be poured. The gas line marked to accommodate moving the meter from the front of the store to the side of the building. The dangerous stairs to the rooftop were removed. And, termite junk was poured around the foundation.

Changes are happening fast.

Finally, Progress

After 7 months, something was ADDED to the building!!

The new roofing is nearly complete. All vent holes were repaired and new roofing material was laid down. The material starts up on the wall and each sheet is bonded to the other creating a seamless bond. This mostly dries the roof.....though there is still a big hole where the stairs come up on the roof. We need to remove the existing stairs, fill the space with plywood and then come back and bond this new material to fill the space.

Such a minor change, but major because it is my first.

A Good Week for Travel

I was gone all week for my real job. It was a great week on that front; many positive decisions and a renewed interest for me to focus on "entitlement".

Not much happened at 308westmain though I did receive this positive note from David on Friday:

The dumpster and the out house will be set on site this coming Monday. We will start the demolition full force on Tuesday.

Spot stopped by today. We lucked out and got to tour the Penny Furniture space with Cynthia, the owner. Her place is awesome. Seeing the metal staircase with cable rails helped me to envision how excellent my space will look if I can afford the rooftop opening. The open treads allow light (and dust) to fall through. I hadn't thought of the bonus of metal treads not requiring dusting. I hate to dust.

Spot and I finished up with lunch at Toast-Five Points. Yum!