Washington Plaza

[MrPlaza]

I’ll be more impressed when it’s open. Haha. Because by the time it does, all this equipment will be outdated.

[Simka]

Nothing against you coop buyers (who seem like nice folks), but I'm curious: are there any other WP renters posting here?

[Lilybell]

I still feel like a renter at heart, Simka! There used to be a few tenants who posted here but they have all since moved. There is another regular poster here that I think is a renter.

[Simka]

I still feel like a renter at heart, Simka! There used to be a few tenants who posted here but they have all since moved. There is another regular poster here that I think is a renter.

I know a lot of people have moved—because of huge rent hikes and/or the buyout offers—but there are still lots of renters at WP. Would be nice if a few more would join us!

[Simka]

UGH. Jackhammering in the courtyard has begun again this morning.

Months ago, the sidewalks in the courtyard were redone—incorrectly. Something about the specs, like the widths of the walkways, was wrong. So those weeks of noise and inconvenience we endured were for absolutely nothing, because it's all being done all over again.

I'm curious about a couple of things. First, does anyone know why the walkways were redone in the first place? I hadn't noticed any cracks or other problems. Was there actually anything wrong with them? Or was it just cosmetic, like the windowsills?

Second, does anyone know how the entire job was done to the wrong specs before anybody noticed?

[MrPlaza]

I think it was partially cosmetics, partially just old and cracking. There was some cracking here and there. Nothing too intense, but those kind of things generally get worse over time. As for how it was botched the first time, didn’t know it had to do with incorrect specs, so much so that it just looks like crap, even though it’s a brand new job.

[Lilybell]

They didn't deliver on what they promised and they messed up the actual pour. They knew it was going badly early on but I think the problem was that they had already paid them for at least half of the work so they allowed them to finish (I'm not positive about this - I can't remember exact details). The worst part is that they did a lot of research and hired a company that has great ratings and came highly recommended. But they sent their B-Team for this job. I forgot and tried to enter in the front yesterday and wow, that sure was a lot of rubble! 

Weird question - I have a wide archway that separates my living room from the dining area. I was trying to figure out if I could install an anchor point (for a suspension training system I'm using while we wait for the gym) and noticed it's magnetic.  What's up with that?  I'm scared to drill into it.

Silver lining due to the closed gardens: the elevators go to the basement all 24 hours so I can do laundry when I wake up at 4am (seasonal insomnia).

[Simka]

They didn't deliver on what they promised and they messed up the actual pour. They knew it was going badly early on but I think the problem was that they had already paid them for at least half of the work so they allowed them to finish (I'm not positive about this - I can't remember exact details). The worst part is that they did a lot of research and hired a company that has great ratings and came highly recommended. But they sent their B-Team for this job. I forgot and tried to enter in the front yesterday and wow, that sure was a lot of rubble! 

Weird question - I have a wide archway that separates my living room from the dining area. I was trying to figure out if I could install an anchor point (for a suspension training system I'm using while we wait for the gym) and noticed it's magnetic.  What's up with that?  I'm scared to drill into it.

Silver lining due to the closed gardens: the elevators go to the basement all 24 hours so I can do laundry when I wake up at 4am (seasonal insomnia).

LOL! I can totally relate to that last part, Lilybell. In my old building, the basement (with laundry room) was open 24/7. I rarely spent time down there very late, because it was deserted and creepy at that hour. But it was good to have the access late evenings. I'm glad to have it now and wish it wouldn't end.

I can't imagine why that arch is magnetic! I haven't tried mine. But I suspect it's not constructed to support much weight. Have you asked Robinson about this?

[Simka]

I think it was partially cosmetics, partially just old and cracking. There was some cracking here and there. Nothing too intense, but those kind of things generally get worse over time. As for how it was botched the first time, didn’t know it had to do with incorrect specs, so much so that it just looks like crap, even though it’s a brand new job.

Someone mentioned the walkways not being made as wide as they were supposed to be. (I don't remember who it was, because I had a few different conversations with building employees about it—casual chit-chat in the elevators.) I got the impression that that wasn't the only problem, though.

[jo3boxer]

this issues this time (with the second pour) were that:

a - the pitch of the pour wasn't allowing for proper drainage

b - i guess due to a halt in the work, the proper incisions weren't made to prevent cracking due to expanding and contracting

regardless, it was best they re-did everything over. the second pour wasn't great so it would have been disappointing to stick with it considering how much better it was before all the work. 

[Lilybell]

Robinson said they will likely finish the garden pour this weekend. They are moving much more quickly on the lobbies/hallways now. We just got notice that we need to arrange to be home so they can paint our front doors Friday or Saturday.  I like the paint colors.

I can't imagine why that arch is magnetic! I haven't tried mine. But I suspect it's not constructed to support much weight. Have you asked Robinson about this?

I asked him the next time I saw him and he said he thinks it will support the weight - he offered to install it for me because he knows I will end up making a huge hole if I try it myself.

[Simka]

Robinson said they will likely finish the garden pour this weekend. They are moving much more quickly on the lobbies/hallways now. We just got notice that we need to arrange to be home so they can paint our front doors Friday or Saturday.  I like the paint colors.

I can't imagine why that arch is magnetic! I haven't tried mine. But I suspect it's not constructed to support much weight. Have you asked Robinson about this?

I asked him the next time I saw him and he said he thinks it will support the weight - he offered to install it for me because he knows I will end up making a huge hole if I try it myself.

Oh, that's good! Have you had it done yet?

I see in their latest bulletin that the front gate is coming soon. Have you shareholders been told anything about how that will work? Presuming it's locked, does that mean someone will actually occupy the gatehouse 24/7? Because, if not, what happens if we have visitors or deliveries?

[MrPlaza]

The gate isn’t actually going to lock. It’s a decorative deterrent. The “first line of defense,” so to speak, is still going to be the front door to each of the buildings. Anyone will be able to just open the gate.

[Simka]

The gate isn’t actually going to lock. It’s a decorative deterrent. The “first line of defense,” so to speak, is still going to be the front door to each of the buildings. Anyone will be able to just open the gate.

Oh! Thanks, that's good to hear!

[jh35]

The gate isn’t actually going to lock. It’s a decorative deterrent. The “first line of defense,” so to speak, is still going to be the front door to each of the buildings. Anyone will be able to just open the gate.

The new sidewalk was opened today at 4PM. Robinson cut a velvet ribbon. The middle school marching band came by (on their day off.) Champagne and gatorade were served with a sheet cake.

The architect gave opening remarks about changes to the garden. Dan Drumm spoke about changes to the neighborhood as the robber from HSBC ran by.