The Center for the Arts of Homer’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Central New York by engaging them in a broad offering of arts education and entertainment that preserves and enriches local culture, and provides stewardship for a historically significant site.
DISCOVERY
In early summer (June) of 2023, we tasked our masonry expert (McKinney Masonry) with fixing some of our most “problematic” mason and brick areas around the facility. Our original goal was to complete masonry and brick repointing work in phases over a four year period. While performing this initial work, the mason discovered some faults in the front wall of the sanctuary, and recommended taking a deeper look.
INSPECTION
Jamie Davis from Ryan Biggs Clark Davis engineering firm was brought in to examine the building and discovered structural issues with the front facing wall that posed a serious concern for the future of the building. We were lucky to have discovered the issue, and even luckier to have Jamie Davis working closely with us to solve this unexpected problem.
REINFORCEMENT
Work began immediately to fortify the building so that we can continue to safely welcome audiences into the theater space. This ancillary work included installing a steel column (made by Homer Iron Works) from the truss at the very top of the facility, and grounded through to the basement. Working together with the above mentioned contractors, alongside Complete Construction Concepts , Jerome Durr Studios, and The Glass Smith, and W.L Kline our aim is to restore the front wall, while maintaining the beautiful rose stained glass window, and returning the facility back to its original beauty and strength for the next 150 years. Many of our original founders have made very generous donations to complete the initial work on this project, and for this we are deeply grateful.
With the temporary reinforcement complete, the engineers went to work on a plan to restore and restructure the front wall.
REMEDIATION
Being completed in phases, the restructuring of the wall and window arch is estimated to be completed by Fall of 2023. This includes intricate “spinal-like” surgery being performed by the areas top local contractors and experts, all playing a pivotal role in this project. The work, once complete, will successfully restructure the sanctuary/theater for the next 100+ years.
