05-20-2015, 12:05 AM
I'm still of a mind that something should have been done to try and save the front facade of the original buildings. I say this as the original Bauers factory sat on stilts for 2 1/2+ yrs, I worked in this factory and there were numerous issues with the building.
However I will say that filling the basement with concrete is just crazy and in turn adds ridiculous costs to the project. How do you get your utilities into your building and or service existing? With out proper engineering you are limited by code how much you can build on a slab no matter the thickness.
Finally the owner came into the project a few years in and had what he believed was a pre approved plan, a lot of work has been done already and now it's all coming down. One can only expect so much on any level. The city has a legal obligation to provide a safe environment while also trying to preserve the past. The owner can only be expected to oblige to a certain extent when it comes to what he/she is willing to invest vs what they stand to earn!
There are number of lessons to be learned from this though when the city steps in to buy, manage, oversee they need to be proactive when it come to protecting buildings from decay while said property is in their control.
However I will say that filling the basement with concrete is just crazy and in turn adds ridiculous costs to the project. How do you get your utilities into your building and or service existing? With out proper engineering you are limited by code how much you can build on a slab no matter the thickness.
Finally the owner came into the project a few years in and had what he believed was a pre approved plan, a lot of work has been done already and now it's all coming down. One can only expect so much on any level. The city has a legal obligation to provide a safe environment while also trying to preserve the past. The owner can only be expected to oblige to a certain extent when it comes to what he/she is willing to invest vs what they stand to earn!
There are number of lessons to be learned from this though when the city steps in to buy, manage, oversee they need to be proactive when it come to protecting buildings from decay while said property is in their control.