By February, this is what Clark Memorial Hall looked like, and would look like for the next 3 months while we awaited better weather to continue the project.
Significant strides had been made in 2021.
Storefront Glass Completed
For a very reasonable price, the storefront glass was completed by early January.
New Storefront Glass
The original glass was not particular safe. It had cracks in numerous places. In addition, portions of the glass had been replaced or plywooded over, and then other panes had been painted. There was also etched permanent damage from various logos over the years that were installed, and it was also dangerous in that if it ever broke it was not safety glass (and It weighed a LOT!)
Jackson Glass was hired to replace 13 panes of glass on the storefront. Some of the panes were 10’x6′ and weighed over 550 pounds each. Modern double-pane glass was used.
Front Façade Primed
After we fully stripped the first ~12′ of vertical façade wood trim, we patched up as many holes as we could and repaired several areas. Once finished, we primed the entire front so that we were ready for winter.
I imagine all the residents of Adrian were wondering why we re-painted everything white when we had just spend 3 months stripping it. Well, eventually we will be painting the trim different colors. We just had to prep it for painting! Rest assured it’s only primer!
The Balcony Goes to Grand Rapids
After removing, they loaded the balcony on a trailer and took it back to Grand Rapids for the winter.
Removal of Balcony
After several hours of work to break it free, the balcony was removed from the building.
The Balcony in Disrepair
The second reason they came was the balcony. Earlier in the year, they explained that the cost to patch, repair, and refabricate the parts they need to while it was on our building would be higher than just taking the balcony off and re-building a new one from scratch over the winter back in their shop.
We agreed to a firm bid, and they came in November to begin the process of removing the balcony.
Fabricated Downspouts
Grand River Builders returned in November, 2021 for two reasons. The first was to install a set of custom fabricated downspouts. I sent them example photographs of various scuppers and bracket designs, and they came up with this design, which I absolutely love!
Masons Hired
There was significant brick damage that was uncovered, and nearly the entire south wall needed to be tuck-pointed.
We hired Adrian Masonry for the job.
Since the bricks were thinner than modern made bricks, Sphere Project Management was able to source bricks of similar color and size.
Approximately 550 bricks were chipped out and replaced, and the entire south façade was tuck pointed over the course of approximately 4 weeks.
South Side Stripping Completed
In October, Lenco finished stripping the south side brick.