Here is video proof that the construction on our parking lot has re-started. We encountered some bumps – literally – which have delayed the work. The bottom line is that we ran into serious difficulties with the unstable fill base in the lot (the debris from the former building) and it has taken a long time to come up with a solution that is both cost effective and structurally sound – raising the parking lot area 12 inches with a firm base to create proper water catchment and drainage systems. As a result, the project will not be finished until the spring of 2015. To give you a more complete explanation on the parking lot issue the Property Committee would like to share with you an abbreviated version of the general contractors report: “When we began excavating trenches for the drainage system, it became apparent that the existing fill material on site was not a suitable base material. The existing fill is a mixture of clay silts and broken concrete pieces (from the previous building) which once disturbed for grading, electrical, etc. would cause problems by not compacting properly under any laid asphalt or curbing. Were we to go forward without dealing with the unstable fill problem, both the curbing and asphalt would crack and move in a very short time. After discussion and conferring with the geo-technical engineer who did the initial design work on the parking lot, there were two options to consider, either of which the geo-technical engineer advised would be acceptable: 1) Excavate and remove fill from the site and replace it with suitable base material. This would involve significant logistic issues because of equipment time, landfill and trucking costs. 2) Raise the parking lot area approximately 12 inches to give a proper base for asphalt and curbing without disturbing the existing fill except in landscape areas. The best option overall for cost and benefit is to raise the asphalt and curbing areas. Because of the existing slope of the site, by choosing this option we will be able to adjust the different grades for catch basins. This will allow us to reduce some of the drainage plan slopes and make it easier for walking and driving, especially on the lower half of the lot. Due to the time it took to sort out the unstable base problem, we were delayed and now the weather has become a factor. We will have to leave the curbing installation until next spring because we need a couple of weeks of good weather. What has been accomplished? • The drainage system has been installed. There will be some adjustments made to accommodate raising property. • We started placing the existing barriers as a continuous curb along the lane and apartment building property line. This curbing will be a good strong barrier against possible damage from lane traffic and snow removal. • The horizontal drilling from parking lot to cathedral for the electrical sleeving needed for the parking lot has been done. We will add upright sweeps and shortly fill in the trench. What we wish to have done before real winter sets in is: • Cut and remove existing asphalt. • Raise grade of parking and catch basins. Compacting as necessary. Two, possibly three of the catch basins will be raised. • Install the sleeving for electrical conduits along with lamppost bases. Thank you for your patience while working out a solution for the problem.” – St. Michaels Cathedral Property Committee
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:00:38 +0000
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