|
|
|
PITTSBURG —
Work began Thursday on the east facade of the historic Colonial Fox Theatre and it should make a visible difference in the appearance of the building over the next couple weeks.
The project is one of the more publicly visible parts of Phase 5 of the renovation process and, while it won’t be the end of the exterior work, it will help.“It means we’re gong to be exposing some details that aren’t currently visible,” said public relations and marketing director Sarah Jensen.
She said the word has gotten out that progress is happening on the theatre, but that this will help it to seem more real.
“There’s word everywhere, but they don’t see everything,” Jensen said.
Heikes Masonry and Restoration is doing the facade work, and owner Derek Heikes said they are prepping to tuckpoint the east facade.
“We’ll be on the front of this building for probably two and a half weeks,” Heikes said.
He said Thursday’s work included removing mortar from between terra cotta stones, and the building also will be washed at a time in the near future when the temperature is above freezing at 4 a.m. so it can be done when there is minimal traffic.
“It could be as soon as tomorrow morning,” Heikes said Thursday.
The work will help restore the building back to its original appearance.
“It will just enhance the natural color,” Heikes said.
“It also means we’re going to be exposing some details that aren’t currently visible,” Jensen said.
Heikes also said it will protect the structure by prevent water from getting into the building.
He said a historic mortar mix then will be used on the building.
“They want to use materials they used 100 years ago,” Heikes said.
“Whatever we do to the structure, we’re trying to make sure it’s done in such a way to match the historic,” Jensen said.
Executive director Vonnie Corsini said there are published standards for how things must be done to qualify as a historical restoration.
“We have to follow the Secretary of the Interior standards,” she said.
The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation did receive a facade grant from the City of Pittsburg and now has until April 30 to make this round or improvements.
But, the work won’t end then.
“The east facade is still going to need some things done,” Jensen said.
Additionally, Jensen and Corsini still have both short- and long-term goals.
“We are working so hard at this point to meet the requirements for an occupancy permit,” Corsini said.
Work began Thursday on the east facade of the historic Colonial Fox Theatre and it should make a visible difference in the appearance of the building over the next couple weeks.
The project is one of the more publicly visible parts of Phase 5 of the renovation process and, while it won’t be the end of the exterior work, it will help.“It means we’re gong to be exposing some details that aren’t currently visible,” said public relations and marketing director Sarah Jensen.
She said the word has gotten out that progress is happening on the theatre, but that this will help it to seem more real.
“There’s word everywhere, but they don’t see everything,” Jensen said.
Heikes Masonry and Restoration is doing the facade work, and owner Derek Heikes said they are prepping to tuckpoint the east facade.
“We’ll be on the front of this building for probably two and a half weeks,” Heikes said.
He said Thursday’s work included removing mortar from between terra cotta stones, and the building also will be washed at a time in the near future when the temperature is above freezing at 4 a.m. so it can be done when there is minimal traffic.
“It could be as soon as tomorrow morning,” Heikes said Thursday.
The work will help restore the building back to its original appearance.
“It will just enhance the natural color,” Heikes said.
“It also means we’re going to be exposing some details that aren’t currently visible,” Jensen said.
Heikes also said it will protect the structure by prevent water from getting into the building.
He said a historic mortar mix then will be used on the building.
“They want to use materials they used 100 years ago,” Heikes said.
“Whatever we do to the structure, we’re trying to make sure it’s done in such a way to match the historic,” Jensen said.
Executive director Vonnie Corsini said there are published standards for how things must be done to qualify as a historical restoration.
“We have to follow the Secretary of the Interior standards,” she said.
The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation did receive a facade grant from the City of Pittsburg and now has until April 30 to make this round or improvements.
But, the work won’t end then.
“The east facade is still going to need some things done,” Jensen said.
Additionally, Jensen and Corsini still have both short- and long-term goals.
“We are working so hard at this point to meet the requirements for an occupancy permit,” Corsini said.
