Grant applied for, to restore stained-glass windows and frames (Activity Report)

ON MARCH 3, Mishkon submitted a grant proposal to the National Fund for Sacred Places, which I helped to write. If awarded, the grant would provide a 1:1 match of funds, namely half of the estimated $186K needed to rebuild the glazing in the 12 exposed windows, and to overhaul their frames and hardware, in our historic sanctuary building. 

Below the jump, this post describes what we said that Mishkon would do with those funds, and why.

Weighing the alternative to an elevator (Speculation)

ONE OF THE many reasons to provide wheelchair access to the basement is to achieve Mishkon’s own renovation priorities. Those priorities include the installation of proper HVAC systems in the basement (Social Hall and kitchen). It appears that according to the state building code’s Section 11B-202.4 (quite apart from the ADA), we will not be allowed to even start those projects unless we can show how someone in a wheelchair can travel to and from the basement.  

In order to provide such access, it appears that Mishkon has two options: 

• spend roughly $200K for an inclined platform lift in the east stairwell (as described here), or 
• spend roughly $400K for a small elevator (as discussed here and here).

Below the jump, this post briefly discusses the trade-offs involved in that big decision.

Multiple modes are needed for full access to our building (Background Report)

NO SINGLE MODE of movement will work for all types of people to access all of our spaces. A mix of modes is needed, as this grid shows.

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

Key to “Mobility type”:

• Walk and climb  =  Easily mobile; stairs are easy

• Walk, not climb  =  Bad knee/hip/ankle/back, or unsteady on feet; stairs are difficult

• Not walk or climb  =  Wheelchair; stairs are impossible

HVAC (Mechanical heating/cooling system) in the sanctuary (Background Report)

WHAT’S THE CONFIGURATION of the heating/cooling system in our sanctuary?

This post gives you a basic picture, through verbal description and photos.…

Mezzanine Void Project: Addressing Termite Infestation and Damage

ABOVE THE MEZZANINE ceiling is a large void that, until last week, was inaccessible to human beings — but accessible to termites. 

(Previously termites had been spotted through a ceiling hole in the southwest corner of this space, and also in its northeast corner through a roof hole, so the likelihood seemed very high that they were established also in the void between.)

Back (western) wall of the sanctuary.
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

This post describes how we created access for humans — who observed not only the purported termite infestations within, but also the structural damage that they have caused.…