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Michelson Galleries CPA Project Application.pdf 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com Project Title: 1913 Northampton National Bank Façade Reconstruction Address: R. Michelson Galleries, 132 Main St. Northampton, MA 01060 Parcel ID#: 32c-007-001 Applicant Information: Contact Person: Paul Gulla Property Owner: Richard Michelson Organization: R. Michelson Galleries (MARSAM LLC) Mailing address: 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Daytime phone: Gallery number 413 586 3964, Paul cell: 978 314 8650 Fax: 413 587 9811 Email address: Paul: PG@RMichelson.com Richard: RM@RMichelson.com Website: www.RMichelson.com Budget: Mason repair charges $175,000.00 Mason exploratory charges $ 3,650.00 Engineering report $ 750.00 Roofer charges $ 3,000.00 Total $182,900.00 CPA Funding request: $162,900.00 CPA request as percentage of total budget: 89% Building History R. Michelson Galleries is a commercial art gallery in the historic section of downtown Northampton. The building was built in 1913 as Northampton National Bank as the third incarnation of the bank. The first was at 135 Main Street and the second was adjacent to the current location at 124-128 Main Street. We believe the architects to be the Boston firm Hutchins & French. Arthur E French and Franklin H. Hutchins (who joined French in 1910) were well known for designing many schools and banks in the New England area, many of which are now registered as sites of historic significance. The site was actively used as a bank from 1913 until 1992 when the bank moved out and Richard Michelson bought the building. The gallery was previously a tenant of the bank occupying another portion of the building and then moved the gallery into the main space. The building is one of the largest and most visible of the 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com buildings registered as historic sites within the Historic Northampton Downtown District. It is visible not only to pedestrians but is large and prominent enough to be seen by drivers passing through the city. The Northampton Historical Commission recently voted to support our application deeming the building historically significant and worthy of restoration. The Gallery While R. Michelson Galleries is an independent commercial art gallery, it is a major part of the community’s larger comprehensive cultural scene, having been a prominent, high-visibility entity right in the center of town for over 40 years, almost 30 in the current space. The gallery is a major draw for people to the area for the caliber of its artists, along with the grandeur of the space. The gallery sells to both the local population as well as shipping work out to a global clientele. While we do sell artwork and provide art-related services to our clients, the gallery is open to the public and we are a welcoming spot for browsers year round for which there is no charge. During the 30 years we have been in this space we have striven to support the local community by hosting events and fundraisers for over 25 area non-profits (see Addendum A) We centered our focus on local artists, supporting some 60 local artists that poured money back into the local economy. We took these artist across the country and in some cases internationally increasing Northampton’s profile as a center for the arts drawing even more artists to move to the area. The Boston Globe Magazine in a feature on the gallery and the illustration community wrote of us in 2017: Over the last few decades, a remarkable number of creative types settling in Western Massachusetts have worked on children’s and youth-oriented literature. With the establishment of Michelson’s gallery as a clearinghouse for the art of children’s literature, and especially since the opening of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst in 2002, an influx of authors and illustrators has made Western Massachusetts a gateway to our children’s imagination. Northampton area artists’ work now hangs in many major museums such as the MFA in Boston, The Chicago Art Institute, the Vatican Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and we have taken local artists across the world to exhibitions in South Korea, England, Italy, France, Slovakia to name a few. We had photographer and actor Leonard Nimoy shoot 100 Northampton Area people (including former Northampton mayors, clergy, artists, and craftspeople) that became a major exhibit at MassMoca and travelled throughout the country and garnered attention on national major news stations. The gallery has hosted poetry readings, live theater, dance and music events without ever charging an entrance fee and we regularly donate artwork and framing to area non-profits. Project Summary: The top of the front façade of the building is comprised of large limestone slabs over a masonry interior. Over the years, water has seeped into the joints between the stones and caused erosion of the sealing 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com compound between the stone slabs as well as the masonry underneath. As a result, the underlying masonry has lost much of its structural integrity. One corner of the building is shaded by a large tree maintained by the city. This tree inhibits the evaporation of water from the building’s surface and increases the seepage into the various cracks in the limestone. The water intake has also compromised the integrity of the limestone facing the street and it has begun to fracture and fall into the sidewalk. There are slabs both facing the street and on the side of the structure that have shifted out of place to the point that there is a risk of them falling out and possibly into the sidewalk. The treatment involves lifting off the large limestone slabs in the top and sides of the façade, reconstructing the underlying masonry, and reinstalling the slabs. Then it will be sealed and a roofer will come in to provide any flashing or sealing necessary and to connect any new elements with the existing roof. The reconstruction that needs to be done does not contribute to, with the exception of housing, the day to day commercial workings of the business. It does, however, protect and allow to continue a significant part of the historic downtown’s appeal to tourists and locals alike. Urgency of restoration The CPC commitment would be needed by the middle of August as work will need to be scheduled for the Fall of 2021. The deterioration of the limestone facade is most active in the winter months as water seeps into the existing cracks and freezes. The expansion of the ice gradually moves the blocks that make up the structure. The work will need to be begun before the cold weather sets in so as to minimize the risk of further deterioration and the safety risk of possible falling debris from the structure. We need to know that we will be able to cover the bill before we can schedule it. The disbursement will be needed this fall as there will be an initial deposit required to begin the work which is expected to take several months. A deposit of one third (approximately $58,000) is due before work can begin and a second third once the brickwork is done (timetable unknown). The balance would be due upon completion. While we would likely be able to pay part of the deposit, we would need funds to supplement it so work can begin. The rest of the balance would depend on how the work progresses as to when payments would be due to the mason. It is safe to assume though that it would be during the late fall months, October or November. There is a public safety risk in postponing the work into the winter months or next year as the effects of another winter may result in more significant deterioration or some structural collapse. As it is street facing and right above the downtown sidewalk and were stonework to fall it may pose a danger to pedestrians below. It also may lead to further damage to an historic building that may be more difficult to reconstruct or repair later. The building is one of the most visible showcases of Northampton history and we want to see it preserved as best we can. Should the committee not approve this application on an expedited basis, it may push any restoration until Spring of 2022 incurring further deterioration and incurring a public safety risk. Extreme weather is becoming more common and severe cold or storms may come with increased frequency posing a riskier 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com situation until work can be done. As mentioned earlier, this could pose a public safety risk of falling debris into the sidewalk or worse. Estimated completion date: Unknown pending availability of the mason and his schedule once final approval is given. Preferably to be done Fall 2021 or earlier. It has been estimated that the work could take several months to complete. Alternatives to CPA funding We investigated numerous other means of funding including historic tax credits and state funded grants. Many of these are reserved solely for non-profit entities. The National Trust Community Investment Corporation is federally funded investment program that provides investment for historic sites such as ours and while we were eligible, the project exceeded their project limit and they declined. There is eligibility for State and Federal Historic Tax credits but that doesn’t solve the issue that we must know how the initial bills are to be paid. Reimbursement through tax credits do not make it more feasible to accomplish this. There are state grants such as MassWorks that fund historic projects but they must be applied for and managed by municipal entities, not individuals. We continue to explore all possibilities during this process. We have been in touch with the Mayor’s chief of staff Alan Wolf who is exploring further State funding options and with Jo Comerford, our State Representative and her staff to explore what options she might know for us. Post reconstruction needs The reconstruction, once completed, requires no special upkeep or unusual continued maintenance save continued oversight of emerging cracks to be sealed. As the initial situation emerged over 100 years it is our understanding that it should not be necessary for many years. The repair makes no substantive changes to the look of the building; the parts of the façade will be removed and placed back to their current location. Alternatives to reconstruction Relying on the advice of the mason and the structural engineers there appears to be no alternative to reconstruction. The blocks have shifted past the point of resealing cracks as we have done in the past and there is a risk of them dislodging altogether. In addition to the outside limestone, the interior masonry that provides the structural support also needs to be rebuilt. We would have considered a different route such as removing the ornamented top, sealing the flat roof and not replacing and repointing it which could possibly be less expensive but we are unable to entertain other options because of the building’s historic status. Past Maintenance No historical records were found describing work done specifically to the façade before we purchased the building. The entity that owned the building in 1992 was MultiBank which sold the building when they merged with Bank of Boston. Subsequent mergers of the bank would be to BayBank, Fleet, and then finally Bank of America, which has retained no building records prior to the Multibank sale. Searches 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com through Gazette articles since 1913 yielded some work on the roof in the 1970’s but nothing related to the front façade. We even contacted a former bank employee who had no recollection of the bank needing to do doing masonry upkeep on that part of the building. Since 1992 the gallery has had masons and roofers attending to the building’s exterior needs amounting to an approximate sum of $72,000 which includes $14,000 in mason costs specific to the façade in question (please note that another 225K has been spent to maintain the interior and we know that repairs are a part of the business; but in this case the façade adds to the town ambiance, and is less important to our specific business). Such upkeep kept the problem at bay but we are told that we can no longer maintain the issue, and that the façade must be reconstructed. Current economic situation Given that the cost for this reconstruction is close to what we have spent on building maintenance for over 20 years, it is beyond our means to pay for. Even in good economic times this would be a difficult expense. In this climate, coming off a pandemic it is even more so. The entire town has experienced significant drops in business over the last year and a half. An article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette on April 9, 2021 stated Over the last year, at least 14 businesses have closed, a smaller number have moved, and others faced decisions about whether to close for the winter. Businesses downtown have seen their income slashed, in some cases as much as 70%, said Amy Cahillane, executive director of the Downtown Northampton Association. Among the downtown staple businesses that are now gone are The Sierra Grille, which closed after 14 years, Bistro Les Gras (12 years) and New Century Theatre (28 years). Artisan Gallery closed after 36 years, and the Green Bean after 13 years. Bars like Ye Ol’ Watering Hole on Pleasant Street have not opened their doors in months, while some businesses closed for the winter, such as GoBerry and Packard’s. Recently, a sign went up on Bruegger’s Bagels announcing it was closing. We hope to avoid the fate that has befallen so many other area businesses mentioned above and with your help, we plan to continue to be a major presence in Northampton for another 40 years. 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com ADDENDUM A Academy of Music Amherst Ballet Amherst Cinema Amherst Survival Center Cooley-Dickinson Hospital Edwards Church First Churches Food Bank Habitat for Humanity Heritage Academy Insight Mediation Society Jewish Film Festival Harold Grinspoon Foundation Kestrel Trust Lander-Grinspoon Academy National Priorities Project Northampton Film Festival Northampton Jazz Festival Northampton Center for the Arts Northampton Schools The Performance Project Pioneer Valley Ballet Pioneer Valley Symphony Reader to Reader Stavros ServiceNet Veterans Education Project 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com Building from the front Building from the front 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com Side of façade, shifting block Top of façade, right side (facing street) Back of the front façade 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-586-3964 Fax: 413-587-9811 www.RMichelson.com RM@RMichelson.com Side of façade, shifting block Top of façade, from right side (facing street) Back of façade, left side, (facing street) Back of façade, right side (facing street) Furrow Engineering Furrow Engineering 199 Servistar Industrial Way, Suite 2 Westfield, Massachusetts 01085 Tel: 413-562-4884 Page 1 of 2 February 25, 2021 Paul Gulla 132 Main Street Tel: 978-314-8650 Northampton, MA 01060 Email: pg@rmichelson.com RE: Structural Assessment, 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Furrow Job# 0999 Dear Mr. Gulla, Per your request, Furrow Engineering inspected a portion of the exterior facade at 132 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts. The subject building is three story masonry building overlaid with a limestone slab facade. Benjamin Hildebrand, P.E. and Bryan Balicki, P.E. of Furrow Engineering conducted an onsite inspection on February 24, 2021. The purpose of the inspection was to determine the extent of damage to the building structure caused by water infiltration behind the limestone facade. The inspection was limited to the northeast corner of the structure at the roof level. At this location it was observed that slabs of the limestone facade are separating from the masonry structure of the building. Please find attached pictures that depict displacement of the limestone slabs. The displacement of the limestone slabs and resulting damage is most likely due to a freeze-thaw cycle from water infiltration behind the limestone veneer. This is evidenced by open mortar joints in the stone cap and apparent past repair attempts in this area, i.e. caulking of these joints. At the time of inspection, the brick masonry structure behind the limestone facade was obscured from view by the limestone slabs. The masonry structure at this location should be evaluated to determine the extent of water damage once these slabs have been removed for repair. The highlighted sections of the damaged facade at the northeast corner of the building should be removed and reset by a qualified mason. Any water damage to the masonry structure behind the facade should be repaired once the limestone slabs have been removed. Any areas of potential water infiltration should be addressed accordingly to Furrow Engineering Furrow Engineering 199 Servistar Industrial Way, Suite 2 Westfield, Massachusetts 01085 Tel: 413-562-4884 Page 2 of 2 prevent future damage. We recommend repair of roof termination bars, installation of a bent metal cap, and repointing of masonry joints. It is the opinion of Furrow Engineering that the separation of the building façade from the structure represents a significant life safety issue as it is located above a pedestrian walkway and should be removed and repaired, or stabilized immediately. It was also pointed out that a portion of the facade in the front of the building where the building name is engraved has evidence of spalling. These areas should be evaluated and repaired immediately and the area of potential fall zone should continue to be secured from pedestrian access until repairs are performed. Furthermore, a more thorough evaluation of the entire building facade should be performed for any evidence of limestone slab displacement, spalling, and cracking. In the interim, the facade of the entire building should be monitored. If any changes occur please contact Furrow Engineering immediately for further investigation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. Thank you. Sincerely, Benjamin Hildebrand, P.E. Bryan Balicki, P.E. Project Civil Engineer Senior Engineer Thank You For Choosing Western Mass Masons! 383 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073 (413) 527-1800 WesternMassMasons.com quality@westernmassmasons.com QUOTE LICENSED • REGISTERED INSURED To: MICHELSON GALLERIES Date: 4-20-2021 132 MAIN ST. Quote # 84387989 NORTHAMPTON MA Project: REPAIRS Phone: E-mail: Description of Work To Be Done: This quote is for repairs to the existing facade of 132 Main St Northampton mass. Staging will be erected off the Main Street side of the building to extend just past the end of the building to be able to return on to the roofs of the adjacent buildings. Written permission will be needed prior from both building owners to allow use and possible staging to be set up on both of their buildings to allow access for needed repairs. The staging will be erected from the ground level to the top of the building netting will protect the front as well as a walkway protection for pedestrians and access to the building. The rear of the building will also have a stair tower access along with an electric hoist that will go up to the top of the roof that will allow for materials to be accessed. The two main areas that the main work will be performed will be the limestone corners on both sides of the building. The limestones that are leaning out are unstable will be taken down. Approximately 6 to 8 limestone blocks on each corner will temporarily be removed with crane service and stored possibly on the roof or offsite. The existing rubber membrane that is directly below each corner will have the brickwork relayed and replaced as necessary to make those corners structurally sound. . All brick work on these two corners will be laid up and replaced as necessary. The brickwork that is not quoted here is where the remaining membrane which goes up the middle of the Gable end on the rear roof side which is also going to be taken down . If minimal repointing is required that will be included in this quote, but if bricks must be Thank You For Choosing Western Mass Masons! 383 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073 (413) 527-1800 WesternMassMasons.com quality@westernmassmasons.com QUOTE LICENSED • REGISTERED INSURED replaced and relayed this will be a further cost and a written change order at the time that the rubber membrane is pulled down. Michaelson Gallery's will make sure that their roofer is on site immediately following the replacement and the completion of the brickwork so that the new rubber membrane and flashing can be installed. No roofing is quoted here or carried on this quote. If any roofing is necessary on the adjoining walls to the other buildings this will be the responsibility of Michaelson gallery's. Western mass Masons makes no warranties that the existing limestone are in good condition and can be reused . We are assuming that the existing stones may be reused and is quoted as such. If once they are removed their deemed structurally unsound they will have to be sent out for fabrication and this will increase the price of the staging rental and cost of materials that is not quoted here. Assuming the old limestone pieces are in good condition they will be re craned back into position and mortared as such. All of the seams in the limestones will be grinded out at the top and will be epoxy filled. All other face vertical limestones that are above where the electrical bird fencing is will also be grinded out and packed in with new mortar. No work is to be performed below the dental work on the face of the building at the Gable end. On the right hand side of the building just below the limestones were the facade ends and the brick begins some areas over there where the staging can access will also have their mortar joints grinded out and repacked with mortar as we are able to access with the staging. Any and all additional issues that are unseen will be an additional cost with a written change order and will be discussed prior to any work commencing with the owner. Western mass Masons will pull all necessary building permits sidewalk permits and parking permits for this job. Thank You For Choosing Western Mass Masons! 383 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073 (413) 527-1800 WesternMassMasons.com quality@westernmassmasons.com QUOTE LICENSED • REGISTERED INSURED All safety and OSHA related regulations will be followed. Western Mass Masons will conduct all dealings with the building Department, DPW and Police Department as may be required for completing this job. Western Mass Masons offers a 8 year workmanship warranty on the areas that are associated with this job . WE HEREBY PROPOSE TO FURNISH MATERIALS AND LABOR - IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS, FOR THE SUM OF: $ 175,500.00 This quote may be withdrawn from us if not accepted within 30 days. Quote Prepared By: David Osiecki TERMS: Any alteration or deviation from above specifications involving extra costs will be executed only upon written orders, and will become an extra charge over and above the estimate. By signing this quote, you agree and understand all the above terms and conditions that apply to this job. Any changes that are to be made, must be discussed prior to construction and agreed upon by contractor and may also affect to the final price. PAYMENT TO BE MADE AS FOLLOWS: 1/3 of the total amount is due before construction is to begin. Once all brickwork is completed another third is due.. Once the scaffolding is removed and the job is completed the balance is due. ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL: the above prices, specifications and conditions are satisfactory and hereby accepted. You are authorized to do the work as specified. Payment will be made as outlined above. Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Furrow Engineering Furrow Engineering 199 Servistar Industrial Way, Suite 2 Westfield, Massachusetts 01085 Tel: 413-562-4884 Page 1 of 1 March 3, 2021  Invoice            Paul Gulla  132 Main Street      Tel:  978‐314‐8650   Northampton, MA  01060     Email:  pg@rmichelson.com     RE:  Structural Assessment, 132 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060          Furrow Job# 0999    Dear Mr. Gulla,    Contract:  Hourly + Expenses      $ 220.00 per hour for Partner in Charge (Licensed Professional Engineer)  $ 150.00 per hour for Senior Engineer (Licensed Professional Engineer)    $ 105.00 per hour for Junior Engineer/Drafting    $ 500.00 Professional Engineer Certification Fee (If Required)    $ 0.65 per Travel Mile     $3.00 per Sheet (24” x 36”)    The following is a summary of the Engineering Services to Date:    On‐Site Visit and Field Measurements   (1.5 hrs@ $150/hr) $ 225.00 Prepare Structural Report   (2 hrs@ $150/hr) $ 300.00 Additional On‐Site Visit (Future)  (1.5 hrs@ $150/hr) $ 225.00 Travel (29 miles@ $0.65/mi)       $         NC Total Work Completed to Date $ 750.00    Amount Previously Billed           $ 0.00 Amount Received              $ 0.00 Total Amount Due    $ 750.00           Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience if you have any questions.    Sincerely,           Benjamin Hildebrand, P.E.       Project Engineer       Thank You For Choosing Western Mass Masons! 383 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073 (413) 527-1800 WesternMassMasons.com quality@westernmassmasons.com QUOTE LICENSED • REGISTERED INSURED To: R. MICHELSON GALLERIES Date: 1-22-2021 132 MAIN ST. Quote # 734278 NORTHAMPTON MA Project: FRONT VENEER Phone: E-mail: Description of Work To Be Done: THE FRONT LIMESTONE VENEER IS CRUMBLING. GRIND BACK ALL LOOSE MATERIAL ON THE FACE OF THE STONES AS NEEDED OFF BOOM LIFT. THE SIDE VENEER STONES HAVE MOVED OUT OVER 4’ AND ARE STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. THIS ISSUE MUST BE ADDRESSED IN GREATER DETAIL BEFORE THEY COLLAPSE TO THE STREET. THIS AREA WAS INSPECTED 9 YEARS AGO, THE STONES HAVE MOVE OVER 3” IN THAT TIME. A ENGINEER SHOULD BE BROUGH IN TO ASSESS HOW TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. NO WARRANTIE OR GUARRANTIES. BALANCE DUE: $ 3650.00 TERMS: Any alteration or deviation from above specifications involving extra costs will be executed only upon written orders, and will become an extra charge over and above the estimate. By signing this quote, you agree and understand all the above terms and conditions that apply to this job. Any changes that are to be made, must be discussed prior to construction and agreed upon by contractor and may also affect to the final price. PAYMENT TO BE MADE AS FOLLOWS: One half of quoted amount is due when job construction has begun. Remaining balance of bill will be paid in full when job is complete. A Finance Charge of 1-1/2 (18% annual rate) per month will be added to any unpaid balance over 30 days. ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL: the above prices, specifications and conditions are satisfactory and hereby accepted. You are authorized to do the work as specified. Payment will be made as outlined above. Thank You For Choosing Western Mass Masons! 383 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073 (413) 527-1800 WesternMassMasons.com quality@westernmassmasons.com QUOTE LICENSED • REGISTERED INSURED TITAN ROOFING, INC. 200 Tapley Street Springfield, MA 01104 Main office phone (413) 536-1624 Main office fax (413) 533-2560 Estimating fax (413) 533-1186 MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE Commonwealth of Massachusetts City of Boston State of New York R. Michelson Galleries Bid #21-0471 132 Main St. Upper Roof Flashing Northampton, MA 01060 ATTN: Paul Gulla April 27, 2021 pg@rmichelson.com WE PROPOSE TO FURNISH ALL LABOR AND MATERIAL NECESSARY TO COMPLETE INSTALLATION OF: 1. Remove the remaining flashing that is not removed during the masonry restoration. 2. Fully adhere the existing EPDM that is on the roof over the new repair, approximately ten feet. 3. Install new polymer securement bar at each angle change and seal with 6” cover tape. 4. Remove all roofing debris from the upper roof. FOR THE SUM OF: $3,000.00 ACCEPTED Yours Very Truly, ……………………………………2021……. George Brown ……………………………………………. TITAN ROOFING, INC. By……………………………………………