Landscaping

[Jennifer carr]

Hey guys -

I’ll try not to be long winded.   Before we get to lawn I wanted to update you.  1250 is completely gutted.  We are remodeling every surface, nothing structural and nothing touching the party wall.  However, I do have a small concern for the sprinkler system as it runs off our unit.  For now the hose bib is on, not the sprinklers.  I anticipate there will be some disruptions only to the sprinkler supply in the future.  It should be hours not days and not an issue.  Here is some good news.   Given some of the construction quality issues we ran into while installing our new roof top deck, we are really pleasantly surprised we have had no big issues - just some leaks which I also have in my mt. house, inevitable.   Following is pertinent to the landscape discussion. 

Lawn/Trees - Current conditions. 

Lawn

The sprinkler system is off as lawn is not worth watering.  Someone suggested we mow.   Again not worth it and no service will touch it.  Can’t do it ourselves as community lawn mower no longer exists.  When we get through this weather pattern lasting this week my contractor is going to spot mow the few places that have popped up.   He called this his PR project to save my good name - so it is a favor at no cost.   

Trees

A concern was expressed about water on the trees.  Looking over the state of our landscaping I noticed the city’s arborist (subcontracted) working on the Lawerence/27th street mess.  I kidnapped her to discuss our trees although I know one of us already had someone out.   I wanted to address my concerned about not being able to turn sprinkler on due to weather, state of lawn and possible new sod installation project delaying sprinklers further.   Her opinion:  the trees are mature and well established and will need little water, she suggested once a week.   Again, my contractor offered to do so as a favor.   I bought a new hose and spray head which will reach.  All in the side yard.  The hose bib is on FYI.  However, the hose has been disconnected from bib as it will drop below freezing a few nights.   This is to prevent a back flow freeze/burst which would cause my unit to flood.  So if you do use hose bib please disconnect after use so I don’t flood.

Whoever had tree experts out did they do a deep root water and if so on which trees?

Future 

There is more involved in the sod project than expected.   I don’t know if anyone got a bid so please share with the group if so.   My General Contractor and I walked the project to discuss scope.  He took measurements and will provide a proposal this next week.   The scope I defined is sod replacement and sprinkler repairs.  I gave him some of the challenges - it is broken every spring and seems weak along Lawerence side.  And Lawerence in particular is a dandelion farm.   Regardless if we as a group choosing to work with his crew, he is going to fire up the sprinklers after weather warms up just to see what we are working with.    Some initial feedback during our discussions - 

-We could go a cheaper route with seeding but that demands substantial “babysitting” which he was concerned given the public thoroughfare, dogs and homeless. 

-We could do a combo of sod and seed but again the babysitting. 

-Re-sod.   That is going to involve a skidster which will involve city right-of-way permits.  Not a big expense but if you don’t do it and get caught its fines and delays

-Maintenance - this is the dandelion problem.  His suggestion  -more aggressive maintenance and service although it might be slightly more than we are used to.  As he said, an established service provides a neck to choke when things go wayward. 

I can try and get more professionals to provide proposals this coming week.   I was excited about Antonio from last year lawn's mowing (ma & pa operations) but he vanished.  Thus is the problem. 

General

Cal - is your water on a separate meter?  This question is related to my building permit (didn’t know which box to check) and the sprinkler debacle.  I think your lawn is off the common system.  LMK on both those.

I am installing a motion detector security cameras at the corner of my garage.  Everytime I come down my first task is human poop removal.   The same installed at my front door to prevent further tagging on my stairs - which is being removed during our remodel.  As it becomes operational I hope you guys will LMK is it becomes a nuisance . 

Thinking of installing Pergola matching Doug’s so both ends of the building are in unison.  Will see if we have the money as we make more progress on our interior remodel.  

We no longer short-term rent.   Anybody you see coming and going are my kids or my friends.   They are probably more trouble than the bridal showers I kept renting to - oh the glitter we hauled out of there!   Please call if you have any concerns re: my people’s visits

 

Feedback 

Please LMK what you all would like be to do beyond all mentioned above.   I will probably be down next two weeks or so, depending on project needs. 

Best Regards

Jen Carr

(970)379-7276

[Cal Crawley]

Hi Jen,

Yes, my place is 'stand-alone' and everything is metered separately.  

It is good to hear that you have not found anything of major concern as your remodel has progressed.

best,

cal

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