Structural Assessment of the AG Synagogue

[Gordon Jacobs]

RhM Board and Building Committee Members-

Responses expected by Monday, October 15. 

I’ve spent some time on the phone that reminded me of my past work efforts, namely that things don’t really go as planned.  My early lead for engineers was Andrew Harris, Essex Junction, but he has been difficult to reach.  I switched to a Burlington Google search and have had some success, at least in finding real people with apparent interest.  Roland Van Dyke of Concepts in Structures was not available till late November (too bad), but did give me other leads. He also emphasized that these analyses even of small structures can be quite costly, depending on the questions to be investigated.  

(See an appropriate article for the many questions that could be addressed in a structural assessment of an historic building- https://georgiashpo.org/sites/default/files/hpd/pdf/financial_and_technical_assistance/StructuralAssessmentGuidelines.pdf

My initial objectives for this email were to gather the names of other engineers that you might know and to ask you to list additional questions you want to see answered.  Now, I would like to add that I’d like your comments on the people and firms I list below: 

Jared Waite, a solo engineering practice- I called and left a message

Barb Evans, Knight Consulting Engineers- I began a conversation that will continue tomorrow

Bob Neeld, Engineering Ventures Spoke to Trish and will email her and Bob with my initial questions

The Engineering Ventures firm lists an association with OZ in relation to the “Lost Mural Project”.  Trish expects Bob to be quite interested in working on OZ’s original home.  (I recognize budget concerns here.)

My initial questions involve:

-the frailty of the north wall and how to strengthen it; 

-the quality of the brick anchoring on the other 3 walls; 

-the ability of each wall to accept a 3’ door opening for the needed means of egress;

-the severity of foundation leaks and approaches to remediation;

-the viability of the window frames;

-the viability of the building’s sill; 

-the soundness of the roof structure; and

-the evidence of any current leaks.

Names, comments, and questions expected by Monday, October 15.

Gordon

Gordon Jacobs

gordo...@gmail.com

[Loredo Sola]

I think it would be clearer to describe what we are envisioning to provide better context for targeted questions:

We are considering a fire exit door from the main floor through the east wall.  What are the structural considerations, issues, problems with this plan?  Where is the best location for this door considering the structural integrity of the building?  Is it better to expand an existing window into the doorway or to cut a new hole?

We are considering building a handicap access lift from street level to the main floor and the basement. What would be the structural considerations, issues, problems with this plan?  Where is the best location for this lift considering the structural integrity of the building?  Can we repurpose the dog house?

We are considering rebuilding the michva in the current location in the basement. What are the structural considerations, issues, problems with this plan?

What is your assessment of the foundation?  What problems do you see and how would that impact our plans?

What is your assessment of the walls?  What problems do you see and how would that impact our plans?  Check out the North wall instability and the brick wall waves.

What is your assessment of the roof and interior ceiling?  What problems do you see and how would that impact our plans?  FYI: miscolored tiles are due to re-painting, not a leak.

What other issues or concerns do you see?

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Loredo Sola

Lored...@gmail.com
802-236-0735 (cell)

[Shanna Ratner]

I spent several hours yesterday drafting a request for qualifications/proposals for the structural analysis. Michael has seen it and should be sharing it with the Building Committee shortly if he hasn't already. Our plan was to share it with the remainder of the Board after the Building Committee has had their input. It incorporates all the input from the Building Commitee thus far and addresses at least some of Loredo's comments.

Best,

Shanna

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[Michael Jetter]

Just shared it with the Building Committee.

-MJ

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[Loredo Sola]

I agree this doc addresses my earlier questions & comments.  Shanna, Thank you for preparing this draft doc.  I am more confident we will get what we need from this Str Assessment.

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[Gordon Jacobs]

I think many of Loredo’s questions are appropriate to a $15-$35,000 study by a multi-disciplinary team looking at architectural, structural, and systems safety issues.  

The Barb Evans KCE reports (sent as examples in a previous email) are typical of what we can expect for a few thousand dollars.  

We must stick with structural questions and these don’t usually dictate interior architectural or planning issues.

Sent from my iPhone

[Loredo Sola]

Gordon. I think we should use shanna’s doc.  She covered my questions. 

Cell: 802-236-0735

Email: Lored...@gmail.com