Tin is falling from the sky!

We removed about 2/3 of the tin on one side of the building and exposed a nice surprise. It looks like we will be able to leave the beams exposed to display the natural wood and countless hours of hammering that took place over 100 years ago.

This has been a big week for the project. My construction manager, Tom Baldwin, started this week. Our final plans arrived on Thursday, which were quickly delivered to the city for evaluation. We also began subcontractor bidding. We have requested numbers back next week.

Progress continues!

Windsor Beacon Article

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907180313

Windsor Now! Article

The front cover! The report did a great job.

http://www.mywindsornow.com/article/20090717/NEWS/907179998/1040&ParentProfile=1001

Progress!

I spent the week chipping plaster. I figured out that the best way to remove plaster is using a reciprocating saw with a “spider scraper”. My hands are worn out by the end of the day, but it gets the job done. We experimented with various ways to clean the plaster residue off of the brick. It looks like we are going to sandblast the brick and then use a dust collection unit to vacuum the remaining dust from the brick. Once the brick is clean, we will seal it and leave it alone for another 100 years.

I also started pulling the tin off the ceiling. This is going to be a bigger task than we originally thought. The reciprocating saw will see a lot of hours in this process as well. We will have to cut a lot of the tin, while being careful to preserve as much of the tin as possible. I am pleased with the appearance of the tin under the layers and layers of paint. Restoring the tin will be the next experimental step. We have several methods to try. I’ll keep you posted!

Greeley Tribube

We made it in the paper! Check out the link

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090713/NEWS/907129979&parentprofile=search

Press Release

Windsor Building Gets a Modern Vision

Windsor, Colorado – July 12, 2009 – One of Windsor’s most historic downtown buildings is now in the process of receiving a full face lift.

Brent Phinney purchased the Yancey Block at 515 and 513 Main Street on June 16, 2009. During the next few months, Phinney will be restoring this historic building to take back its place as one of Windsor’s architectural gems. Plans include removing plaster from interior walls to expose original brick throughout the building. The building will receive new energy efficient windows, a new glass store front, exterior masonry work, extensive interior repair and redecoration.

The Yancey Block will be home to Windsor Eye Care & Vision Center. Brent Phinney is an optometrist and will be opening his new practice later this year. He will furnish his office with the newest technology and equipment. Windsor Eye Care & Vision Center will include a full retail optical with a wide variety of products including high fashion and name brand frames.

Monthly open houses and building tours will begin in August. Community members will have the opportunity to view the building plans, watch renovation progress and talk with Brent Phinney and his construction team. Event details to follow.

Rock On!

I picked the rock for the front of the building today. At some point in the building’s life, a section of the front was retrofit with a brick that does not match the rest of the building. The brick is in bad shape and needs to be replaced. I decided to replace it with rock to match the base of the front. After a morning of visiting various rock yards, I picked my favorite. In the process of searching for exterior rock, I think I may have found the countertop material for my front desk.