Has anyone noticed all the wind and rain since the Annual Meeting?  We all feel stupid when deadlines are missed but we were lucky that during critical periods the crew was doubled or we would have gone the 400+ working days in the contract, extending well into next year.  On the days that it seemed no one was working, 17 men were on the 5th and 6th floors cutting and fitting tiles for terraces and clearing equipment and materials, even on wind and rain days.  The work on the tower is completed and once site safety determines that the tower is clear of rigging, the sidewalk bridge can be removed except for either side of the elevator to the right of the building entrance as the remaining equipment is removed from the 5th and 6th floors.  The NY DOB will check off the Local Law 11 violations and we will be done, hopefully by Christmas.

I hate giving dates when it comes to construction projects.  Just ask any homeowner who has done a simple kitchen or bathroom renovation and I am sure that the majority will say that it took much longer than expected.   Now if we look at what our façade project entails, it is a very complicated project because it is an exterior job that is impacted by the weather (rain, snow, cold & wind), access to different apartments, city construction laws, availability of certain materials and the project as a whole has grown in scope because new problems have been identified while the original scope of work was being done.  

I could assure you that the board, management and the contractors want to be done with this project as soon as possible.  However, we want to make sure that it is done correctly and that we solve as many problems as possible before we dismantle the scaffolding and drops.  This way we do not have to come back in the near future to solve problems that could have been taken care of today. 

The board has no interest in lying to anyone but we depend on our contractors and engineers to give us an estimate of how long the job will take and we pass that information down to the rest of the shareholders.  Unfortunately, my experience as an architect and now as a real estate investor, in development projects, has always shown me that construction deadlines are very fluid because there are many variables and unknowns in the whole process.  Let’s also keep in mind that this project did not start the same day that the scaffolding was put up, it took a while to get started.  

Regards,

Jorge

Previously jrojas wrote:

I hate giving dates when it comes to construction projects.  Just ask any homeowner who has done a simple kitchen or bathroom renovation and I am sure that the majority will say that it took much longer than expected.   Now if we look at what our façade project entails, it is a very complicated project because it is an exterior job that is impacted by the weather (rain, snow, cold & wind), access to different apartments, city construction laws, availability of certain materials and the project as a whole has grown in scope because new problems have been identified while the original scope of work was being done.  

I could assure you that the board, management and the contractors want to be done with this project as soon as possible.  However, we want to make sure that it is done correctly and that we solve as many problems as possible before we dismantle the scaffolding and drops.  This way we do not have to come back in the near future to solve problems that could have been taken care of today. 

The board has no interest in lying to anyone but we depend on our contractors and engineers to give us an estimate of how long the job will take and we pass that information down to the rest of the shareholders.  Unfortunately, my experience as an architect and now as a real estate investor, in development projects, has always shown me that construction deadlines are very fluid because there are many variables and unknowns in the whole process.  Let’s also keep in mind that this project did not start the same day that the scaffolding was put up, it took a while to get started.  

Regards,

Jorge

Thanks Jorge,

As an update, we have had, due to weather, only 1.5 days of work from November 24 to December 2.  Also, there is a delay by the manufacturer, in delivery of the fireproof Trax boards to replace wood dividers on balconies and terraces.  As rigging is needed to carry materials and workers, there will be a few week delay in the release of the towers for Site Safety release.  I am sad to say, the project is drifting into January.

hi larry and jorge, i don't think the problem is that the facade project isn't done so much as the fact that the board did not notify us that it wouldn't be done. perhaps a note in the elevator, or a memo on building link. i think most of us understand that there are limitations to when the work can be done, and we also know that construction always takes longer than expected, but just tell us, that's all we're asking.. it doesn't take much. the way you can respond here, something could have been posted, even in the lobby. we're not calling anyone liars, just keep us informed. maybe the board doesn't want to hear the complaints, but better to hear them with us knowing what's going on rather than have people keep talking the board down. seriously, i know you all work really hard, but to keep the complaints directed to the board at a minimum, we really need to know what's going on in this building. no offense...

I agree 100% with torn80. The several posts from board members recently are more information than we have had in a long time regarding the project. There have been so many cases of poor communication and missed deadlines from the start, that it is perfectly appropriate for shareholders to be frustrated and cynical about this process. Straightforward, consistent and regular communication would be very helpful. We can handle the truth - just give it to us more often.