Construction Stops And Restarts At Mall

Last week’s ice storm froze all construction at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Power at the site was cut off for two days, the mall developer said. But the power is back on and work now continues.

“There’s no question that the storm slowed us down,” developer Rex Frazier said. “Storms do come and you try to be prepared the best you can.”

The snow didn’t come as a surprise, said J.C. Penney project manager, Vincent Campanella. It was the severity of the ice storm that caught workers off-guard.

“It makes us take a serious look at letting Mother Nature take its course and just use windows of opportunity to complete the work,” Campanella said.

The site was shut down last Tuesday afternoon and work didn’t resume until power was restored on Friday. The contractors said some crewmen haven’t been able to come to work because they’re out of power at their homes.

All three project managers said safety is one of their top priorities no matter what the weather. But the storm certainly put them on alert.

“It heightens our sensitivity to safety, sure,” said Campanella. Crews have been trying to clear the snow from the ground around the building so workers don’t twist their ankles in ruts or holes that are covered with snow.

Sections of the structural steel on which workers climb or stand have been roped off because they’re glazed with ice.

Sears project manager Steve Goebel of Robert B. Goebel General Contractor said the most risky part for workers is contending with the falling ice.

“We’re being a lot more watchful, that’s for sure,” he said.

Contractors for the three anchor stores said they are using temporary heaters inside the structure to help keep workers warm. The crews also use the heaters to dry out the second floors from all the melting snow and ice that’s leaking through the partially completed roofs.

At the Bon Marche building, project manager John Carlson said what’s helped Baugh Construction stay on schedule is the way they’ve planned the project. Baugh Construction opted to fast-track the project, which means the company submitted partial, step-by-step plans for the project. As each segment of work is completed, more plans are submitted to the county.

The company was able to complete most of the roof by the time the storm struck. Now, only some parts of the second floor are wet as melting ice comes through open sections of the roof, Carlson said.

The same has been happening with the J.C. Penney’s roof, Campanella said.

The contractors said they have heard that this winter is supposed to be the worst in five years.

“I hope not for everybody’s sake,” said Campanella.

, DataTimes