Is the building worth $800,000?

Bresee repairs could top $800,000

Engineering report calls building a ‘high priority’

BY JENNIFER BAILEY
Commercial-News
DANVILLE — A recent update on Bresee Tower repair costs provides more of a breakdown.

The costs come from Mary Brush, formerly with Klein and Hoffman Inc. Structural and Restoration Engineers of Chicago and now a preservation group leader with Holabird & Root LLC Architecture Engineering Interiors of Chicago.

This breakdown follows a final summary report on Bresee Tower that provided no cost breakdowns on restoration phases, as city officials expected.

The only monetary reference previously made is to allow for a minimum budget of $800,000.

“To do what?” Mayor Scott Eisenhauer questioned. “We can’t make any decisions.”

Eisenhauer had not yet seen the latest report as of Friday, but said the city will stay involved in the building process at some level. He didn’t know whether it’d be more of a resource or financial partner.

“We need to stay involved,” he said.

Klein and Hoffman Inc. representatives and David Algozine, CEO of Algozine Masonry Restoration of Griffith, Ind., reported on initial findings of their façade condition survey last month before local officials. They said the 12-story downtown building, 4 N. Vermilion St., could be saved, but maintenance concerns must be addressed.

“I would consider this building a high priority,” Brush said.

She said the building is out of hazardous condition now and into a high priority state of repair. Ideally there could be a phased restoration approach, they said.

Brush said the strapping and plywood now applied to the building will limit the potential of future falling pieces of terra cotta in the time between the completed investigation and façade restoration. However, if plywood remains on the building in the fall of 2009, it will be necessary to re-inspect those areas in order to determine material anchorage and condition.

She said taking aesthetic issues into account, a higher priority of replacement is typically applied to the lower floors for pedestrian views and more repair on upper floors.

Material options worthy of consideration due to the coloration of the building include terra cotta or an alternate material of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), she said.

“The latter material is acceptable for restoration projects as a potentially cost-effective alternative to terra cotta,” Brush said in her follow-up letter. It’s also beneficial on a project with a tight time constraint, with a more effective delivery system.

The glaze of the material is a potential challenge.

“Assumptions were made for the cost estimate on quantities for replication versus repair. With a conservative approach to the options, the terra cotta replacement estimate was $560,000 and the GFRC was $450,000. The estimate for units to be repaired on the building or removed and reinstalled was $150,000,” she stated.

Brush said the north and west elevations are in “good condition” with minor repairs required. Anticipated brick repairs are estimated at $9,000, not including the removal of the fire escape.

In addition, granite repairs will be required and can range from $2,000 to $5,000, and general provisions and mobilization for the contractor has been assumed to be $80,000 regardless of the material and repair quantity choices.

Professional services for the design documents and construction administration by the architect haven’t been calculated.

“In an effort to provide professional guidance toward the varied solutions for this building, it is typically better to work slowly toward the better solutions, than to put good money after a short-term repair,” Brush said.

Downtown Danville Inc. Executive Director Rachael Dietkus said after more specific cost estimates were received, those involved will have to determine the next step.

Algozine said the building’s cracking and broken pieces are caused by water that’s entered the building and has rusted the steel behind the terra cotta. The steel expands and creates the pressure, causing the terra cotta cracks. There is no failure of steel. Everything they’ve seen on Bresee, they’ve been able to fix on other buildings, Algozine said.

Algozine Masonry Restoration started analyzing the building and fixing more dangerous sections just after Thanksgiving. It finished in January.

Bresee was built in 1917 and was to be a steel frame skyscraper, but was switched to a concrete frame due to steel costs during World War I, they said.

Developers have expressed interest in the building.

A market study shows the building could support mixed residential, professional and retail uses.

The numbers

This is a little info from zipskinny.com that breaks down the numbers and compares Danville to the state and the U.S. As you can see Danville is behind the curve on every category.

17 down, a couple thousand to go!

City OKs demolition of 17 structures

Fairchild Village needs asbestos removal
BY JENNIFER BAILEY

DANVILLE — The Danville City Council on Tuesday approved contracts to demolish 17 more dilapidated structures in the city.

One large building is Fairchild Village, but Public Works Director Doug Ahrens said a contract for asbestos abatement is expected to be “expensive and extensive” prior to demolition starting anytime soon.

The demolitions are ones in which the structures are too tall or there is no adequate fall zone or other reasons the city cannot handle them, he said.

The contracts:

-- Thomas Excavating: $25,637 for 1305 E. Fairchild St.

-- Owens & Son Excavating: $9,968 for 1220 E. Fairchild., $7,195 for 102 Bremer, $3,125 for 611 Chandler, $6,900 for 612 Chandler, $5,495 for 623 Grant, $4,950 for 444 Elm, $9,986 for 418 Jackson and $6,250 for 514 Anderson.

-- A&P Services: $8,500 for 331 Harmon, $9,750 for 509 Lafayette, $4,000 for 7 S. Buchanan and $9,750 for 12 Corrine.

-- Daniel Ribbe Trucking: $30,500 for 510 Ann, $31,700 for 210-212 W. Madison and $7,394 for 309 S. Buchanan.

-- Champion Environmental Services: $27,000 for 431 Jackson.

Funding comes from the city’s demolition bond issue.

Aldermen also approved $40,450 in asbestos abatement work to be performed by Schemel-Tarillion Inc. of Perryville, Mo., at 210-212 W. Madison, 7 S. Buchanan, 431 Jackson, 1220 E. Fairchild and 402 N. Hazel.

The Hazel Street property is the former city hall.

Ahrens said its demolition will be bid out later.

Another One Bites The Dust!

Hobby Lobby to close this spring

Area crafters are devastated by news
BY MARY WICOFF

DANVILLE — People who do arts and crafts are distraught at the news that Hobby Lobby Creative Center will close this spring.

“I’m devastated. Everybody’s horrified,” said Jeanne Dunn of Danville, an artist and actress who buys all of her supplies at the store. “Everyone I know who’s craftsy or sews or knits lives in Hobby Lobby.”

A spokesman with the Oklahoma-based company confirmed Tuesday the store at the Village Mall will close the first part of May. Its 24 employees have been given the chance to transfer to the closest store, said Vince Parker, director of training and customer service.

The store’s merchandise will be transferred to a new store in Peru, Ill., and there will be no closeout sales, he said.

Parker said the decision to close was not an easy one.

“Many factors were considered before coming to the conclusion that we would close at this time,” he said.

However, he would not list those factors, noting there was not one particular reason for the closure.

Lisa Masengale-Acton, general manager of the Village Mall, said Hobby Lobby gave notice of its closure last week, but didn’t give a reason.

“We’re very disappointed,” she said. “They’ve been a valued merchant for almost 10 years. They are such an outstanding tenant in the community.”

The store opened in January 1999 in the former Target site. It offers a variety of arts and crafts supplies, home décor, custom photo framing, furniture, scrapbook supplies, fabric and greeting cards, as well as classes, such as cake decorating.

“It’s such a disappointing loss to Danville as a whole,” Masengale-Acton said. “It’s going to leave such a void in Danville because they offered so many things to so many people.”

The only bright spot, however, is that Hobby Lobby is in a desirable location, as its storefront — which was renovated recently — can be seen from Vermilion Street, she said.

“We do have a great location when we start searching (for tenants),” she said. “The mall itself is doing well. I think our ownership team is hopeful we’ll find someone soon.”

The mall will work with the city of Danville and Vermilion Advantage to see if some type of tax incentive can be offered to a new tenant, she said.

Dunn said artists and crafts people have depended on the store, which offers high-quality products that can’t be found anywhere else in Danville. She could go to the Hobby Lobby in Champaign or buy over the Internet, but she’d prefer to shop locally and actually hold an item in her hands, she said.

Danville Light Opera members also depend on the store for materials to make costumes.

“It’s the only show in town — and it’s a great show,” she said.

An afternoon with friends always included a stop at Hobby Lobby, she said, adding, “I don’t walk out of there every time without spending $20 or $30 or more.”

Dunn hopes loyal customers will contact the store to express their unhappiness, and maybe the outcry will change the business’ mind.

Parker said customers are invited to contact the company through its Web site.

“We do appreciate all of the support of our local customers. It is our hope that you will continue to shop with us at our next closest locations and that all of your future visits are pleasant and productive,” he said.