cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Jim Birchall, Superintendent, Fleet & Facilities Maintenance
DATE: April 15, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Exterior Repairs to the Elmslie Building at 1 S. Broadway, Aurora, IL.
PURPOSE:
To obtain authorization for exterior repairs to the Elmslie Building located at 1 S. Broadway, Aurora, IL
BACKGROUND:
Built in 1923 and designed by George G. Elmslie, the building located at 1 S. Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505, was originally owned by the American National Bank and later housed a Walgreen's drug store in the early 1930's. The building was rehabilitated in 2003 as commercial office space and is currently owned by the City of Aurora.
On February 20, 2019, a substantial section of exterior face brick detached from the upper portion of the north wall and fell on to Galena as well as on the sidewalk. City staff, Aurora Police, Emergency Management and the Street Department responded quickly to the scene. The City's property insurer Chubb was contacted and a property damage claim was initiated and emergency repairs authorized. The City also contacted Belfour, its emergency services contractor who dispatched personnel and equipment. The City was able to contract F.H. Paschen who responded with crews including a masonry contractor. The remaining masonry was quickly stabilized to prevent additional shedding of debris, the Belfour crew and City Street Department personnel cleared the debris and the area was cordoned off until the next day. Protective scaffolding was installed, the damaged side of the building was tarped and secured and the street was reopened.
DISCUSSION:
On February 25, 2019 a representative from F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielson & Associates, LLC and a senior associate from the engineering and architectural firm, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., visited the site to inspect the building to provide an engineering report depicting the extent of the damage and overall condition of the building exter...
Click here for full text