Although the concrete building is structurally sound, Ms. Bozon said about an eighth of the brick facing is being replaced after age and moisture loosened some of the bricks on the west side of the seven-story complex located at 100 N. 7th St. The other sides of the structure are being assessed to determine if repairs will be needed.
“We saw some bricks coming loose under some of the ledges and were concerned about what was happening with the building,” she said.
A subsequent inspection by a brick mason showed that the brick on the west side was stressed and needed to be removed.
Ms. Bozon said an inspection showed that the building, constructed in 1971, was built without “weep holes,” which allow moisture to escape from the interior walls. Over the years, moisture damaged the bricks, studs and some of the metal construction material in the walls.
She said that since the problem is rooted in the building’s construction, the rest of the building is being assessed to determine if more work needs to be done.
The damage was greater on the structure’s west side, since it is the side that faces most weather fronts, she said.
The repairs began in early April and included asbestos abatement from the interior of the walls and roof repairs. The repairs are expected to cost $171,314. Of that amount, about $150,000 will come from re-budgeted Housing and Urban Development capital funds. The remainder would come from reserves, Ms. Bozon said.
“We’ll make a request to HUD if more work is needed,” she said. “Otherwise it could get expensive.”
She said the initial repairs affected 24 apartments. Residents were either assisted in moving bedroom furniture into their living rooms to sleep, stayed with friends or family, or were put up in a motel during the estimated 24-hour period it took to do interior work in individual apartments.
P&S Masonry out of Hamilton was contracted to do the work.
The consortium is comprised of the Temple and Belton housing authorities.
rstinson@temple-telegram.com
