Update from Richard 2/07

Phase 1 - demolition and stabilization are finished. The building ends are nicely tarped off from further exposure to the weather.


The last of the environmental abatement was completed.
The brick and mortar strength testing has been performed.



Three elevator companies have been on site. The shaft is the only thing that can be saved according to all three companies. The general feeling is that a new elevator including shaft, in the long run, might be more cost effective.


Richard

This is what is NEW.

A task force was formed to help steer the use of 701 Whaley with
two committees so far. For-profit and nonprofit.

The vision for the nonprofit is to turn around 12,000sq ft of the upstairs into artist studio, gallery and administrative space.

The non-profit now has an official name:
701
Center for Contemporary Art

There has been tremendous interest and things are moving fast.
The nonprofit application process is underway and we are looking at grant opportunities.

I think some of the 2nd floor tenants will be getting a brand new floor & ceiling!


The for-profit direction has entertained lots of great ideas with a vision towards an event hall with complimentary retail for the downstairs.

The New Year at 701

We have entered 2007 with the expectation that 701 Whaley will be nearly full with occupants by years end. This is our main goal's target date and needs to be shared by everyone on the team as we race toward Spring...

The week between Christmas and New Years saw no activity on 701. This week the abatement contractor is alone in the building and should be wrapping up by weeks end. Other key items being worked on this week include architectural, structural engineering, and soil test preparations.

Hard target dates for key phases during the year are being refined.

Advisory committees for the building's use are being set up and we are excited about what the possibilities are.
More to come on that soon!

An Update from Richard

Demolition and stabilization have started.
Ummm. Excuse me Richard - but have you already gone towards the light?
These guys are serious about preserving every savable inch of this historic building.
Watch this video to see Richard on a mission.


Richard's Notes 12/15
We had a strong week at 701. I feel good about what has been accomplished and look forward to diving into next week.

This week at 701 - Week 3 - 12/18/06

Three main areas of work.
1. Floor and roof stabilization. I would estimate that this task is 90% complete and will be completed in the beginning of the week.

2. Demolition on the east side:
a. Front - one last floor and roof section.
b. Rear - one last roof section.

3. East exterior wall stabilization. This wall has been significantly weakened and a strong wind storm could bring it down. It will be reinforced until the new steel structure is put in place. Pole bracing will be erected at intervals on a diagonal both inside and outside of the building.

Some interesting finds for the week:
An exterior entrance to the basement was discovered.
An old stairwell (with no stairs) was found on the left rear.
There is an area on the back right where you can see water in the basement. The reason became clear this week as to why - there is no floor. There used to be a floor - beam pockets can be seen.

Hood Construction should be wrapping up this first phase by the end of this next week. Hopefully our soil testing and engineering can proceed quickly so that Hood can start flying steel in during the early part of March.

Blessing 701

Local ministers and neighbors gathered today to bless 701 Whaley.
The prayer:
"God whose word suffices to make all things holy, pour out your grace upon this building , so rich with past blessings, and grant that all who come and go through its doors might, with grateful heart and in keeping with your law and will receive from you, its Maker, health in body, protection of soul, and richness of your blessings now and in the days to come..."

A Short History of 701 Whaley

Watch this short clip on the history of the Pacific Mills Community & 701

Preserving History

When I heard my friend Richard Burts was interested in buying and preserving the pink elephant that seems to lumber and beckon at the prominent corner of Whaley and Olympia, I got excited. I had been in the building years before to see performances and also to perform. Richard took me by there one afternoon and the sheer size of it struck me for the first time. The piles of odds and ends including a piano, rows of theater seating, art work, installations,electronic equipment, pigeons and then of course the largest hole I'd ever seen in a ceiling and second floor. All so BIG - So Much.
As we went up the old but still sturdy staircase that hundreds of men, women and children mill workers must have climbed hundreds of times, a sense of community became apparent, interesting and again beckoning. Walking through the threshold of the enormous room where movies were played every Friday night, the voices of the past and energy of previous lives stopped me in my tracks. As I caught up with Richard at the other end of that once grand space he said " You know if you're quiet you can almost hear the voices." I didn't really even have to be quiet to hear them.....
Saving the building, preserving the voices of this particular past became instantly important to me as well.
We'll see as the story progresses why this building seems to summon us.