What’s with the tarps on the front steps? (Activity Report)

JUST BEFORE each of the two big rainstorms this fall, Andrew Roth and I have covered the front steps (with Ruben’s help). We did so in order to protect them from the rain. 

Water will degrade sandstone that is unprotected. Rainwater also percolates through the steps into the concrete substrate—damaging it—and onto the ceiling of the basement spaces below. 

Unfortunately, even after years of trying, we have not managed to find an affordable and practical way to seal the flagstone and grout, and also reduce the water intrusion. (Out of curiosity, I did get a quote to fully waterproof the steps that would involve replacing all of the sandstone, at a cost of $164,000!)

We are still working on a solution—but in the meantime, a physical cover seemed like the least we could do, to minimize the damage. I don’t know whether we will keep this up, though.  

Below the jump, this post points you to 6 other posts on this topic.…

Water Intrusion Under Front Steps — A Possible Approach

IT MAY BE POSSIBLE to stop water intrusion through the sanctuary’s front steps, after all. (This is a follow-up to my post of 2-7-22, which I updated on 7-18-22. Later that year, I met with a vendor who described to me a proprietary process, and he sent me ballpark pricing. 

Front steps in 1948 (building dedication)

On the strength of that proposal, our board of directors recently authorized a certain expenditure for this work, as funds become available. Below the jump, this post briefly describes the proposed approach.…

Three near-term restoration and improvement projects that await funding

Recently I was asked which of our planned projects might be suitable for a donor who wished to honor the memory of a loved one. Given the impression that the contemplated size of the gift was between $1K and $10K, I came up with three options. 

Below the jump, I describe these options. Each one appeals to a certain sensibility. All of them would help to meet a pressing need—and boost the spirits of our members and staff.

Mishkon serves its community in many ways

THIS POST is the 3rd in a series of 4 excerpts from our application last week for consideration for a grant award from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a non-profit organization. 

Below the jump, this post lists some of the ways that Mishkon Tephilo contributes to our local community — and in return deserves support from that community. 

Significance of our sanctuary building: Historic, cultural, and architectural

THIS POST is the 2nd in a series of 4 excerpts from our application last week for consideration for a grant award from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a non-profit organization. 

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

Below the jump, this post sums up what makes our sanctuary building so special.

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.

How to reduce bad behavior behind our marquee sign

IN ORDER TO REDUCE how often local unhoused residents pee and poop specifically behind our marquee sign, let me recommend that we mount this image on the back of the sign (where it would be hidden from the street).

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

There’s good reason to think this measure would make a difference. And if, as a result, Ruben won’t need to hose off the flagstone steps so often, it will not only be easier on him, and it will not only save water, but also the steps themselves will last much longer — reducing our long-term maintenance costs.

Below the jump, I cite the scientific basis for my suggested approach.…

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.

Pressure Washing the Front Patio (Or Not!)

LAST WEEK, I LEARNED BY HAPPENSTANCE that our front patio was being pressure-washed weekly. This has been a helpful effort by the Clean Team of the Venice Beach Business Improvement District (BID), of which Mishkon is a member.

The problem is that water is the enemy of sandstone. It makes the rock flake apart.

Unfortunately, our patio is not well sealed against water penetration, as this post–pressure wash photo shows. 

20 min. after a cursory washing, 9/8/22

So until the patio is more effectively sealed, we should be doing our best to keep water AWAY from our patio.

And that’s why today (after discussing the matter with our Administrator) I asked  the BID Clean Team not to wash off our patio unless we call them and specifically request it. (As we sometimes have done, to clean up an unusual mess.) Let’s see how well that balances our need for cleanliness against our need for preservation.

Water Intrusion Control Projects in the 2021–22 Fiscal Year: The Rest of the Story

PHASE II OF THE FLAGSTONE RESTORATION PROJECT was undertaken in late 2021, mainly to control ongoing water intrusion into the sanctuary building. Three smaller projects meanwhile also had the same goal. As this fiscal year comes to a close, here is a blog post that gathers those threads, weaving them into the fabric of a loosely told story.…

Sewer Repair in Front of the Sanctuary

THIS WEEK, a city-sponsored work crew has been cutting into our flagstone pavement. (These portions of the pavement are actually on City property.) They are opening up three places, in order to replace broken (and leaking) sections of a sewer line with new pipe. These breaks were discovered during a remote-camera inspection earlier this month, after the line backed up next door.

The City promises to replace and reset our flagstone shortly.

For a few photos (no discussion), see below the jump break.

The Restoration Plan, as It Stands

AS MY LOYAL READERS KNOW WELL, last June, the board approved a facilities restoration plan. Its execution is of course subject to the availability of funding, which I have little control over. Yet at least we have a plan, regarding our priorities and how to go about meeting our goals. Here is a status update.…

Flagstone Restoration Project: The Untold Story

PHASE I OF THE FLAGSTONE RESTORATION PROJECT is a great reminder of what such efforts can accomplish. Last spring, the flagstone pavement in front of our sanctuary’s steps was looking pretty darn decrepit. Happily, by November, it had been restored to the point where routine maintenance should be able to keep it in decent condition for a couple of decades. Here is an overview of how the project proceeded.…

5781: “Building & Grounds” Updates in the Messenger

(Weekly posts from July–August 2021)

 

Compiled in one handy location: 

Now you can binge-read the entire series… 😉

 

 

9.  Reckoning with Hole-iness as the Year Turns

An unexpected underground void turns up between our building and our neighbor’s

 

8.  The Season for Going Beneath the Surface 

Surprising challenges that must be faced while restoring the front patio

 

7.  How is This Hole Like My Life?

On dealing with a void that opened up in the “solid” concrete pavement

6.  Donating to Support Our Buildings' Restoration 

About the newly created Capital Improvements Fund

 

5.  Farewell to Termites

How we found and dealt with these voracious critters

4.  How Your Dues Helped Preserve Our Facilities

Tabulation and categorization of expenditures during the 2020–2021 fiscal year

 

3.  Board Plans Facilities Restoration

Defines “restoration” and describes the board’s forthright approach to it

 

2.  Restoring the Building Means Solving Puzzles!

Challenges in dealing with stormwater drainage, given the absence of records

 

1.  Restoration Project Underway: Flagstone on Main Street

Why this project had been undertaken, and its goals