Fwd: Working on rhe red brick synagogue

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Loredo Sola

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Jul 15, 2019, 12:11:36 PM7/15/19
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FYI

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lani Ravin <lani...@gmx.com>
Date: Sun, Jul 14, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: Working on rhe red brick synagogue
To: Loredo Sola <lored...@gmail.com>
Cc: Lauren Davis <lau...@brownanddavis.com>


Hi Loredo,
Thank you for introducing Lauren and me. We toured the synagogue site a week or so ago. Neither of us has the capacity or expertise to spearhead this effort. 
 
We did tentatively look at a possible site for the ADA entry/exit ramp on the back of the west side of the building, from a back window near the bima. A bathroom addition might be possible on the other side of the synagogue, near the stairs, on the east side. This is a very tentative idea, subject to verification, codes, structural investigations etc, and of course funding. 
 
I am willing to help with zoning and historic preservation/Act 250 applications, permits and discussions. However an architect who has enough free time as well experience with similar size and scope of project, as well as a structural engineer, who are both familiar with building and safety codes and Sec. of Interior standards for historic rehabilitation, would be necessary to lead the project. This would be a significant outlay of time and resources, and not likely that many people could do this pro bono. 
 
That was the gist of our discussion. 
 
Shavu'a tov!
Lani
 
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 5:53 PM
From: "Loredo Sola" <lored...@gmail.com>
To: "Lani Ravin" <lani...@gmx.com>, "Lauren Davis" <lau...@brownanddavis.com>
Subject: Working on rhe red brick synagogue
Lani & Lauren,
 
I wanted to introduce you two.  
 
As you both know we would like to improve the synagogue by adding 
1) fire exit
2) ADA access
3) 1st floor bathroom
 
I gave Lauren a brief tour of the premises this morning.  
 
Next step: We need a plan to accomplish these three goals.  
 
Can the two of you with help from your professional friends put something together?
 
--
 
Loredo Sola


--
 
Loredo Sola

Gordon Jacobs

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Jul 15, 2019, 5:06:52 PM7/15/19
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Loredo-
This latest round of effort on improving the functional usability of the synagogue is sad in that it sounds worse than where we were three or four years ago.  The congregation needs to start with a broadly supported plan that brings together functional needs, code issues, and restoration esthetics, it can’t just "put something together.”  This synagogue needs to be treated as something special and improving it needs to be seen as something really worth doing and doing right.  If the building isn’t respected as something quite special, RhM might as well rent space on Pine Street.
Get on the right track and you might be able to develop some momentum.  Spend money on decent plan development and at least leave a roadmap for others to follow, if nothing else.
Gordon
Gordon Jacobs




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Rabbi Jan Salzman

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Jul 15, 2019, 7:27:50 PM7/15/19
to Gordon Jacobs, Loredo Sola, rhm-bu...@googlegroups.com
Thank you for this thoughtful response. There are a few ways to treat the building with respect. I appreciate that there are folks  working on the building as I continue to do the work in the community in  order to increase local support! And it’s working. 

So, what are the next steps?  It looks like we will need money for an architect. Ok, who and how much? We can then all reach out to our connections and see if we can get a donor for the expense. 

And, question for Gordon?  What do you mean, a “broadly supported plan”? 

Thanks, all!  We can do this! 

Rabbi Jan Salzman

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Jul 15, 2019, 7:32:19 PM7/15/19
to Gordon Jacobs, Loredo Sola, rhm-bu...@googlegroups.com
Ps.  We did get the grant from preservation trust to hire their architect. Let’s think about calling that together and see what they’d offer. 
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