Maintenance needs of the new front gates/fence

NEARLY ALL of the newly installed iron gates/fence on Main Street is double powder-coated. Its fabricated sections were all carted to an industrial-sized oven, where they were coated with a dry powdered plastic (much like toner in a laser printer) that was then baked on, for a durable finish. 

That’s the best way to coat ferrous metal that sits near the ocean. Tougher than paint, it should last for a dozen years before rust starts to show through. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

That being said, there are a few iron pieces that needed to be welded on site, and therefore could not be powder coated. Those pieces have been primed and painted. I.e., they are likely to start showing rust first, before the rest of the gates/fence does. 

Below the jump, I provide documentation for those pieces, so that our maintenance staff can keep on eye on them. (I’ll also note the moving parts that will need periodic lubrication.)

Governmental bodies and a front fence/gate (rev. 6/8/23)

FIVE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES get mentioned as possibly having some sway over a fence/gate in front of Mishkon’s historic sanctuary building. 

Below the jump, this post discusses each one — and what I know about its relevance to our situation.

Finding the appropriate height of a fence/gate

I DON’T USUALLY take selfies—but in this case it’s for a good cause. The question on my mind: how high is high enough?

Here are photos of me standing in front of a 6' gate, a 7' gate, and a 7' fence. (I took these during a recent walk along 11th Street in Santa Monica.)

From the City’s preservation architect, on permitting requirements for our fence

From email on 5/2/23 by Lambert Giessinger, Senior Architect, Los Angeles City Planning, Office of Historic Resources:

[If] the proposed fence is allowed by-right…, the discussion then comes down to meeting the Secretary [of the Interior’s] Standards [for Rehabilitation]. The main concept here will be that the proposed fence is designed to be independent of the building and be “reversible” despite the fact that it would alter the open plaza in front of the property.

There is a balance to strike between maintaining the historic character of the property while allowing new challenges to be addressed (like security). Ideally, the fence will be as visually open and low as possible. Perhaps, it can have larger sections that open-up the plaza when there are services or events. Undoubtedly, these are the design issues you’re working through now. 

I’m happy to continue the conversation and review the concepts when they are ready.

Installing a “man trap” at the Social Hall doors

A DOORWAY WITH AN ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM functions as a security checkpoint. It is the first line of defense against would-be intruders or vandals. One type of access control system is known as a “man trap.” It consists of a small space and two separately controlled entrance ways, in sequence.

(That name was coined in an earlier era — when the word “man” was used to refer to any person who was in a certain situation, without regard to their gender. As in the boater’s classic distress cry, “Man overboard!”)

Below the jump, this post describes how that security concept would be applied to our Social Hall entrance on Main Street.…

A frontage security option that showcases the façade

ANOTHER APPROACH to enhancing security along Main St. is a 6'-high clear glass fence with 3 gates. The main advantage of this design is that it would minimally obscure the view of our historic building.

Here is a rough sketch. (It doesn’t show details involving the gates and planters.)

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, I describe the features of this design.…

Two options for enhanced security: Sketches

OVER THE PAST MONTH, in seeking to enhance our synagogue’s security along our Main Street frontage, I have engaged with several fence/gate companies and metal fabricators. Last week, I met on site with a rep from each of two companies that do fabrication and custom work. We looked at what’s possible to achieve within the budget.

With pinions you will be covered;
you will find refuge under God’s wings. 
(Psalm 91; RJPS transl.)

Below the jump, I describe the resulting plans, which exist only in rough form so far. Before proceeding further, I am seeking feedback from members of the congregation. Feel free to call me, to discuss. For me, design is an iterative process, so I expect that there will be considerable improvement before the final product.

A look ahead at my final 6 months as chair

WHEN I TOOK ON THE MANTLE of chair of the B&G Committee, my initial commitment was for the second (i.e., last) year of my term on the board. About halfway through that period, I announced my willingness to remain as chair for an additional fiscal year — so that Cindy’s successor could enjoy the continuity while growing into the job of being president. (Little did I know at the time that my own dear spouse would decide to stand for office — and get elected as president!) Indeed, that decision has proven to be helpful to Carole.

Now, as I am on the cusp of my final 6 months in this post, let me share my vision for the remaining period. (Aside from certain termite-related work that is discussed elsewhere on this blog, which is already scheduled for January.)

Draft Plan of Action for a Front Fence

GUIDING PRINCIPLE: Designing a front fence encap­­sulates the fundamental question of what it means to be a Jew in America today. Conse­quently, such a design process has unique potential to engage (or to alienate) Mishkon’s members. 

This post describes the tentative plan for a design process that I have developed with input from committee member Marcy Drexler. (She deserves credit for having read many background reports, and having interviewed the city’s preservation architect, representatives of neighborhood stakeholder organizations, and a local ironworker/welder.) 

The board has not yet received, reviewed, or accepted this plan. It is a draft — and thus subject to revision.

A Front Fence for Mishkon’s Sanctuary?

This post points to my article in the Winter 2022 Galim, which I wrote on 1/9/22. 

https://www.mishkon.org/galim-blog-winter-2022.html?post_id=1297101

(Otherwise, given that Mishkon's website doesn't archive past issues of Galim, you will no longer have access to that article after the next issue comes out.)

Furthermore, that article references a slide show of wrought-iron fences in front of 16 synagogue façades, in chronological order from 1794 to 1921. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the link given is not active. So here is the intended link:

https://ia601508.us.archive.org/8/items/synagogues-and-wrought-iron-fences.-survey-slides.-9-jan-22/Synagogues_and_Wrought-Iron_Fences.Survey_Slides.9Jan22.pdf