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.

And even more Storefront

OK. You must be tired of posts about the storefront. "When are you going to talk about some other bit of work, Barry?" I get it. I've heard you and here's your answer......"soon".

But for now it's more storefront. 7 weeks ago I wrote of work underway that would complete the storefront, produce new window openings and material and frame stairwells and access to the residential space. A project scheduled for 8 weeks has us still largely on storefront construction. But a cool storefront it will be. Here you see the steel framing that the actual storefront will be built to. I love the scale and view and get excited everyday at the changes.

The Festival for the Eno

The Festival for the Eno happens again on July 4th weekend. Kimberly and I went to the Eno park over the weekend and noticed a new trail and bridge to nowhere.

Well, it probably goes somewhere we just don't know where. Loving the idea that there's a new pedestrian/bike trail. I can feel an exploratory ride in the near future.

A Great Place to Live: US News and Durham Palooza

Durham's growth as a viable, sustainable city is upon us. Evidence is all around:

The week, US News and World Report ranked the 10 Best Places to Live in America. Durham made the list. Now, they appear on the list 5th but that's because the list was alphabetical. Maybe Durham is REALLY their choice for the best place to live???

Also, last weekend a group of musicians organized "Durham Palooza" where they assembled in the concrete park across the street from where I live and just played music. Banjos, mandolins, juice harps and accordions played past sunset making it clear that Durham has arrived.

OK, tongue-in-cheek doesn't write so well. This isn't evidence at all. But I don't need evidence.......Durham is becoming a GREAT place to live and I know it.

More Storefront

The storefront remained the theme of work this week.

More concrete was poured as a footer because the original footer was about 4 feet too short. Now the wall for my entrance stairs can be framed out and structural members anchored.

In the photo, David and Brian "Merg" are attaching the storefront cross-beam that will be used to affix the storefront material. This created some minor challenges. One, brick was removed to anchor the beam into the supporting walls. How do you match 100 year old brick during replacement? Two, now walls that were interior will be exterior in the entrance ways. How do I finish the surface to make it appropriate for exterior exposure while astetically tying into the interior wall surfaces?

More on these later.

Storefront Entrances

The concrete slab was poured and fixed that makes the storefront entrance ways. Here in the photo you can see the "floor" of the building on the left, and the brick sidewalk on the right. Closest to you on the left will be the commercial space entrance. The 2" raised portion in the middle of the photo will be the actual floor level for the commercial space. Farthest in the photo and not very visible is the entrance to my space.

We met with window and storefront fabricators yesterday. Progress on those fronts should happen soon.

Support Columns

Two steel columns were put in place to support the support the steel header beam that frames the storefront.

The bit of work is interesting from an engineering perspective. One, the header beam was sagging a bit but not so much that it required repair. This is fortunate because that would have been a big, unplanned job. Also, we got to see how the header beam was being torqued by the "old storefront" that was hanging from this beam. The front of the beam was being twisted down from the weight of that overhang. Reinforcing this beam was necessary. I like our solution.

I also like this work because light is getting in again. I like light. The construction barrier made me forget how the space looked when it was open to Main Street. An open street view is what this building needs, don't you think?