WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In an effort to keep the public updated on the progress of completion of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a weekly summary of activities expected to occur in the weeks to come is presented.  As always, questions can be forwarded to either Executive Director Chuck Still at (860) 510-5000 or Town Hall Restoration Building Committee Chairman Roland Laine at (860) 395-3127.

Week of October 20 through October 27, 2008
Slate Roofing. Within the upcoming week, contractors will be completing the installation of the slate shingles on the new roofs.  The slate, acquired from a mine in Vermont, was matched to the existing slate roof in both color and texture.  Interestingly, the use of artificial slate would have been more expensive than the “real thing” that is being used.  In addition to being more economical, the choice was a result of wanting to keep the authenticity of the building given its placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

Septic System.  The new septic system, planned for placement under the town green, is undergoing final engineering reviews with the final orders for materials being made this week.  Keep an eye on the Town Green:  installation will be commenced and completed within the next 30 to 45 days.

Exterior Grading and Site Work.  Exterior site work including the south addition patio/landscape beds and the front portico entrance patio will likely be commenced the week after next (week of October 28, 2008).  This work was scheduled to be undertaken when the exterior of the building was completed and “buttoned up”.

HVAC and Electrical Work. Work on the extensive HVAC system serving the Center (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system) will be continued in the upcoming week with completion expected the following week (week of October 28, 2008).

Interior Work. Once the exterior of the Center is “buttoned up”, the contractors will move inside and begin the process of patching and repairing of the original plaster walls of the Center’s hall.  The contractors will also begin the laborious process of building all of the wood trim that will exist in the Center.

Facade of New Addition

Façade of south addition (left with balcony) and the two-story Center office complex (lower level with windows) and the new dressing rooms at stage level (upper level, brick with no windows).  A landscaped patio will be constructed in the dirt area located below the balcony.  The landscaped patio will open to the Town Green located to the left of the photo.

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Rear View

Rear view of new two-story addition from the new Town Hall including the gray structure housing the mechanical equipment serving the heating and airconditioning system.  The second story area with the three windows will serve as workshop/storage area and is located immediately to the rear of the stage located in the original structure.  The door opening on the second level to the left leads from the dressing rooms located immediately off the stage.

From Main Street, a view of the façade of the south addition and balcony serving as the main entrance to the Center.  A new elevator will be located in this addition.  The pallisade windows in the new façade were designed to match the original windows which are still located on the interior wall within the new addition.  The second story brick addition to the right of the balcony houses the stage-level dressing rooms with offices and a ticket window located below.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 1:11 pm and is filed under Construction Updates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.