The Erie-Lackawanna Train Depot is taking a little more time to get right than expected.
Mark Schlemmer, project engineer for the city, said the desire for complete, quality work is likely to trump earlier plans to have a soft opening during the summer months.
"We did get a delay because of the wet spring," he said, which prevented workmen from finishing parts of the roof.
While Schlemmer said the structural elements of the roof have been installed, other features like copper flashing around the top of elevator shafts could not be completed because soldering requires absolutely dry conditions.
Since parts of the roof were put on hold and the interior still open to exposure, he said drywall installation was put on hold. In this manner, the rain produced a "snowball effect" on other parts of the work that otherwise would have been under way.
Schlemmer said the recent improvement weather is a good sign that the central clock tower will have its copper accents installed and copper gutters will be attached around the exterior, and back on schedule.
Another ongoing development has involved getting the proper clearance from the State Historic Preservation Office - which monitors the renovation's historical integrity - in order to purchase new doors.
Schlemmer said replacement materials have to be approved by SHPO as an amendment to the original work contract. During the temporary removal of interior doors, it was discovered they were insulated with asbestos. Last week, he said SHPO approved an order for replacement doors that would look sufficiently like their originals.
"The new doors are going to be ordered, but unfortunately the lead time is 8 to 16 weeks," Schlemmer said, which suggests their installation will run beyond the expected deadline for work - and possibly into August.
GRAND OPENING SHIFT
At a development staff meeting composed of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation and other contributors to the project, Schlemmer said the group decided to forgo any "soft opening."
Earlier plans included a tie-in to the Lucy Fest centennial celebration scheduled for the first weekend in August.
"We had festivities that were going to actually happen in the station," said DJDC executive director Lee Harkness. But he added "we may not be in a position to use the main concourse" after the recent construction update.
On Friday, Harkness said the Liberty Express is still scheduled to commemorate the depot, although he said the owner will have the option to arrive during the prearranged weekend or when the depot finally has its ribbon cutting later in the season.
"We will work around the fact that the depot is not likely to be fully completed," Harkness said, and he added that DJDC activities during the August celebration will be organized at the Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center.
During a recent tour of the facility Schlemmer pointed to finished tiers of marble in the concourse area and floors which have intricately laid tiles. He said these are just sample sections, as the cosmetic work approaches completion.
Said Schlemmer: "We wanted to make sure that when he have the grand opening, that it will be grand."
WORK CONTINUES
Some exterior work is being wrapped up, he said, including the bricks, window frames and decorative lintels. One of the last features will be the placement of glass panes from Hope's Windows that will once again permit natural light to the flood the depot's commercial wings.
Schlemmer said all plumbing, mechanical and other utility work is on or ahead of schedule. This spring, large HVAC units have been installed in vacant lower rooms. Upstairs, nearly completed restrooms await the final installation of basins and adornments.
Months after the start of work in 2010, structural and electrical components of the basement were put on hold when asbestos was discovered in the lower levels, including the elevators shafts where ceiling panels had fallen and shattered apart.
The deadline for Piccone Construction, the lead contractor, remains in force at about the first week in July, said Schlemmer, which is 14 months after they started the project.
"I'm confident we're going to be substantially complete," he said, which would mean about 98 percent of the work is done. The remaining outlay of work would consist of the interior doors, and other unforeseen adjustments required by SHPO.
