FNB: Look at all this space!

Apartment C - looking South

Apartment C - looking North

As demolition progresses (one dumpster filled, another delivered this morning) we are opening up the building and finding so much space!  These photos of Apartment C show the full volume of space that results from taking out the old walls and lowered ceilings.  You can trace the line of the removed walls in the floor and ceiling.  Excellent work by John Dye and Lane Dye.

It's too bad that we don't get to keep all this space...we'll be filling it up with our own walls, stairs and plumbing.  In the meantime we get to investigate the old building and see how things used to work.

An interesting discovery is that none of these walls were original!  How do we know?  Because the plaster is continuous behind the removed walls - and so is the wallpaper!  The photo below shows the (lovely) old wall paper as it appears in the space where a wall used to be.  We haven't taken enough of the walls apart to know what's underneath - we also don't know what the arrangement of these spaces looked like before.  One thing is for sure - we won't be going out and finding this wallpaper for the new apartments :)

FNB: Committed to Doing it Right

Yesterday (Thursday) I had a very productive meeting with a interesting group of people: a carpenter, a mason, a lumber guy and a window guy.  We each came to the table with our backgrounds and talents.  The thing that we have in common = making this project the best it can be.  The great thing about working with thoughtful and talented people is their commitment to doing it right; I am very proud to be working with this group!  Thank you Craig Siebenaler, Daniel Hammond, Greg Shoup and Chris Pfleghaar.

We met to talk about the windows - just ONE of the challenging parts of this project for multiple reasons: 

1) none of the original windows exist on our building.  We do, however, have examples of the original look right next door at Hammer Athletics (photo at right).

2) the original openings have been compromised - even to the point of completely blocking them up...

3) we really don't know the condition of the openings until they are all opened up

We met to form a plan for the windows - how will they be installed, what will the details look like, how much material, how do we keep the water out?  The good thing is that, spending the time to discuss all of the options and important information, we came up with a very good solution which will realize itself here in the next few months.

In order to have this conversation, though, we needed to open up the walls and ceilings to look at all sides of those openings.  The first photo shows the inside of an opening that was completely blocked up - this one stays that way.  The second photo shows the inside of an opening that was fitted with a MUCH smaller window and then bricked the rest of the way up.  See how much higher the ceilings are in the oldest part of the building?

A few frustrating observations:

1) For all the effort to lower the ceilings, in this apartment there was no insulation installed.  What a waste of all that space!

2) They used Belden brick in these openings - for those who don't know, Belden brick is some of the best.  So they used high-quality brick on the outside but installed no insulation in any of these openings.

Our forebears spent a lot of time and energy to retrofit this building while leaving out the most important part - the insulation.  I'm so glad we have the opportunity to do it right this time - with the help of some thoughtful contractors!

FNB: Demolition = Discovery

As demolition gets started, and the dropped ceilings removed, we have already made some discoveries.  These dark spots on the ceiling are skylights!  I haven't spent much time on the roof (I suppose I should have known about them) but we have discovered TWO of them in the future Apartment C.

The problem: BOTH skylights show signs of extensive water infiltration (all past, thankfully) and have been completely covered by the relatively new roof membrane.  This makes the skylights unusable for now.  It may also make the unusable for our project - which is HIGHLY unfortunate...skylights would MAKE these apartments.

In any case, demolition is progressing nicely.  We will have temporary power tomorrow - then demolition will go more quickly!

Next come the windows - something to look forward to for next week.

FNB: ...and so it begins!

2 years, 6 months, 6 days after we purchased the First National Building, work FINALLY begins!

I never thought I would say that I was glad to see a dumpster...but today it was delivered and I was glad!  It's hard to believe...but the day has finally come for hammers to swing in earnest.  

Today Matt Dye Construction arrived to begin the demolition of the second floor of the First National Building.  We begin the rebirth of one of the oldest buildings in downtown Montpelier.

To say that I am excited is an understatement.

FNB: Exciting News! We have been granted "Partial Plan Approval"!

Today I received some long-awaited news - we have been granted "Partial Plan Approval" for the First National Building.  All that means is that we can BEGIN work but we can't FINISH until the Plans Examiner is satisfied with the details and specifications of the new systems being installed.  I still have work to do but at least we can get started!

Dumpster will be delivered tomorrow.  Contractors arrive later this week!  The excitement is growing!

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A short note to explain the silence over the last two months.  We received a surprise when the Bureau of Building Code Compliance (aka "the State") required us to install a monitored fire alarm system in the building (March 10).  We spent a month designing and pricing said system - estimates ranged from $9,000 to $20,000.  We decided that the cost to install plus the perpetual maintenance and monitoring costs were not acceptable for the viability of the project.  So we spent the next month re-designing and coordinating to comply with the Building Code as the State required.

Honestly, I could not bring myself to type a sad and frustrating update about going back to the drawing board AGAIN.  I would rather trudge quietly through and celebrate on the other side.

We submitted for Building Permit on May 7, the Village received the Grant Funds on May 12, we close on the loan May 21.  It's been a busy month - it will be a busy Summer and Fall!  Thank you, Father, for the patience and perseverance to see this project to this point.  Please help me to carry it through!

FNB: Transformations Through the Years

OK, I might be a total geek...but going back in time (through photos) is an interesting adventure whether you are looking at family or buildings.  It's fun to look for the things that you may have missed...or never knew were there!

This photo of some local (1890's) rufians from Al Benjamin is a fine example.  While there are MANY observations to make about our community from this photo I am, of course, concerned with the First National Building which appears in the background:

1. This is the first photo that I have seen without the metal cornice on the corner.  We suspected that the brick detail that shows up on the neighboring storefronts was original and probably extended along the front of the First National Building.  This photo shows that our suspicions were correct.

2. A small observation, but is important for the next, is that the Empire Street elevation was solid...no windows or doors.

3. No corner post.  The storefronts along Main Street appear identical for the original building block (3 storefronts).  It serves to reason, since the corner post and details are metal too, that these were added by the First National Bank.

4. Writing in the second floor windows (illegible) indicates that the second floor was occupied by an office or other business venture.

For those of us who don't visualize very well I put together a comparison.  The angles aren't exactly the same but show in pretty clear detail the transformation that the building went through when the First National Building moved in...and what it looks like now.  That's the reason we are working on this important central building in our community!

FNB: A Thumbnail History

For those of you who don't know, we have a wealth of historical information for our community.  We are fortunate in our community to have several local history buffs who take a lot of time to document the history of buildings, businesses and people from our collective past.  

We were fortunate this week to receive assistance from two of our local historians - Al Benjamin and Bob Bauer.  Between the two, we have been able to piece together a few additional details on the First National Building...

Empire Street ca. 1890
First National Building on the left
Photo reproduction from Montpelier, Ohio 1845 - 1976

1881 - The building that would become the First National Building was built by the business associates Messrs Foltz, Moor and Louden.  The building was a speculative venture including three storefronts along Main Street.  Tenants of the building would continue to change frequently.

Main Street Carnival 1906
Photo from Al Benjamin

1900 - The First National Bank (namesake of the building) was established and purchased the building.

1903 - The First National Bank finally occupied their building with the installation of the new vault.  The cornice and corner detail were probably added around this time.

With the establishment of the First National Bank on the southeast corner opposite the Montpelier National Bank (southwest corner) 1900-1903 established this intersection as the center of downtown Montpelier.

Empire Street ca. 1910
Tinted postcard from Bob Bauer

1903 - 1915 - A long list of professionals and businesses occupied the "rooms" along Empire Street at 224 1/2 W. Main Street, the second floor of the First National Building.  Real estate agents, dentists, attorneys, dance studios and even new newspaper operations got their start behind and above the new bank.  Some of these businesses lasted only a few months, others many years.
 

Montpelier High School Band marching down
Main St. ca. 1946
Photo from Al Benjamin

1916 - In January of 1916 the First National Bank and the Montpelier National Bank merged and consolidated their operations in the National Bank's building across the street.  The building would never operate as a bank again but would retain its distinctive detailing.

1926 - Perhaps the most memorable occupant of the FNB (among older residents) was Carr's on the Corner.  Ted Carr made candy and operated a lunch counter and soda fountain out of the corner storefront from 1926 - 1955.

Later occupants of the First National Building included insurance, real estate and and a variety of other businesses.  One thing remains the same...the First National Building is at the heart of downtown Montpelier.  With the restoration of this significant landmark we hope to continue the revitalization of the heart of Montpelier.