A lot of plastic sheeting has been stretched over the seating areas in the city auditorium as work crews prepare to start painting the ceiling in the historic building. Approximately 48,000 square feet of plastic had to be stretched out to cover areas of the auditorium, in order to protect it during the painting phase. The work at the auditorium has been ongoing all winter and will result in the restoration of the building that was constructed in the 1940s.
YORK – A lot plastic sheeting has been stretched throughout the interior of the city auditorium in preparation for the painting of the new ceiling – just another major phase in the ongoing restoration/repair project of the historic building.
Late last week, work crews used 48,000 square feet of plastic to cover seating areas and more – the painting is scheduled to start this week.
The building, which was constructed in 1940, needed a considerable amount of work, including a new roof, new ceiling, new windows, new heating and cooling system, electrical work and a number of upgrades to meet fire marshal requirements.
After public surveys were conducted and there were literally months of discussion, it was determined that the auditorium project should take place . . . and it would include restoration/repair work at the community center (which is scheduled to start late next month). It all comes with a price tag slightly over $5 million.
A grant of $562,000 was approved for the auditorium from the state’s economic development department. Short-term financing is being utilized until the project is complete and bonded – then it will be paid for with LB 357 funds.
While the work at the auditorium has been steadily moving forward, York City Administrator Joe Frei told the council recently that while there have been hopes it would be finished in January, it will likely not be completed until March. This was due to some equipment delays, created by the COVID pandemic situation.
“Everything is going good,” Frei said, “but it is taking longer than anyone initially anticipated due to the equipment delays.”
As of right now, according to York Parks and Recreation Director Cheree Folts, the roof is 95 percent complete, “with the roofers coming back in the spring to finish the smoke hatch above the stage area.”
The windows, she said, are 98 percent complete, “with some windows still needing caulking.”
Folts said the HVAC project is 75 percent complete, with “everything installed but not yet operating. The boiler start-ups are scheduled for within the next two weeks.”
She said the fire sprinklers are 75 percent complete, “they are currently being installed in the main lobby.”
The fire alarms are 65 percent complete, which is following the process of the fire sprinklers.
The electrical work is 80 percent complete, which is now focused in the north dining room, kitchen and children’s museum areas.
When it comes to the locker rooms and the main floor restrooms, that work is 90 percent finished – they just need fixtures, Folts said.
The exterior life-safety work (steps, ramps and railings) will be the last area of focus.
“The projected construction completion date is Feb. 28. After this, the fire marshal will perform his occupancy inspection,” Folts said. “Once we gain his approval, we will be able to open.”
Frei said the work will shift to the community center when the auditorium is finished and it is hoped that the community center work will be completed in the late summer.
The community center was built in 1963 and this project will result in the renovation and updates of the pool, HVAC system, fire sprinklers, lights and boilers. There will also be asbestos removal.
January 18, 2021 at 10:01PM
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Auditorium work continues - Grand Island Independent
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