A Message from Rebecca Bridges Rice, Board President

Since the last big milestone achievement of pouring the floor slab on Building1, more columns have been poured, and the initial polishing of the slab was completed. This week, the masonry sub-contractor mobilized scaffolding, and will begin the installation of walls and doorframes which will take approximately one month.  Last week, structural steel was delivered. It had a lead time of 8 months, meaning the order was placed in February after Teal Construction was given Notice to Proceed with the project. This steel package includes floor joists and steel decking. I’d like to thank the members of the Board for their wisdom, to approve the order avoiding a significant delay.

On Building 2, the Performing Arts and Convention Center (PACC), all plumbing, electrical and underground work was finished this week as well.  Concrete grade beams have been poured, and barring bad weather, another milestone will occur this week, when the PACC floor slab is poured.  After curing, the masonry contractor will move to Building 2 to begin wall erection. Our partners in the project, the City of Rockport, will perform a rebar inspection before the slab is poured.

In the near term, the next deliverables will be the erection of structural steel and placement of windows. The elevator for Building 1 has been ordered.  I am confident in stating that you will see the shell of Building 1 by the end of this year. These are big accomplishments considering 30 days of weather issues, and delays associated with the relocation the Kline’s Cafe Building to St. Mary’s Street. 

If you drive by old Kline’s you will notice that the new owner has started to pour the concrete for the parking area and make other site improvements around the building.  When you drive by our construction site you’ll see a lot of activity, the vertical movement I promised, and a construction site chock-full of construction materials.  

Next month I will update you on what the Board and staff are doing to make sure we deliver state-of-the-art facilities to our membership. 

Best wishes, Rebecca Bridges Rice
President