MAKING HAY

Dale Buchanan, the Ancon Project Manager assigned to MCHS has certainly kept things moving along beautifully while I have been working in my California office. During the past few days, the foundation has been completed and the steel work is beginning on the addition as well as work moving along inside the existing space. Dale (seen here) also installed security lighting on the property for use during the construction period. Director Christa Montague is contacting the Dallas Police Department to increase their patrols of the area.
Much of the interior wall framing inside the existing building has been completed and work on the heavy steel has been completed for the infill of the former flat roofed area. This will compose the tall central core of the building.

Here you can see the long steel in the drive as it awaits placements. Most of the men you see in the foreground are welders while the ones on the roof are carpenters working on the removal of the old waterproofing system. You also see welders, two electricians, four carpenters and one site assistant all working away.


One of my favorite parts of the building is the new reception area. In the image above you see the view from just inside the front doors. The height of the space and bright natural light will be a huge change from the dark cramped (and horribly narrow) corridors in the old building. The large amount of glass on the back wall will provide a beautiful view of the nature area.


After the steel is delivered it is primed. You see an iron worker priming the material above in preparation for installation.


The square steel (a bit of a misnormer since it is actually rectangular) is welded to plates that are welded and bolted to these plates which have been anchored deeply into the foundation.

The posts which support the large steel beams are placed on the plates and held level in two directions by a helper while the welder joins them. (Above you see the view to the BAC Porch.)

Things are moving along beautifully. We are very happy with our progress and hope that you will be as excited as we are when you see it next. Driving by on Abrams gives you a pretty good hint at the extent of the work that is moving along.