As The Palladium, the centerpiece of The Center for the Performing Arts, was rising out of the ground, construction crews encountered an issue with steel trusses in the highest reaches. At that time, back in 2009, we cautioned readers to consider that “construction happens” – meaning, problems are encountered on every job somewhere along the road to completion. That problem was solved.
Last week, it was brought to light that additional construction needs to take place in the same area this month, and it involves welding additional stiffeners and small plates. It’s called a retrofit. Those, too, happen. What the Carmel Redevelopment Commission is doing by having Sheil Sexton undertake this short-term project is prudent; it ensures the integrity of the structure will not be compromised. The $140,000 project is taking place so as to not cause an interruption to the performance schedule.
We’d like to caution again against wailing and gnashing of teeth over this latest development. Post-construction improvements are made the world over and to several kinds of projects. When complete, we anticipate the roof area will be pronounced “good as new.” And it will be.
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Friday brings the city’s annual Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony. It begins at noon in City Council chambers, is free and is open to the public. Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow of Congregation Shaarey Tefilla will be the master of ceremonies, and the keynote speaker will be Carmel resident Susan Stiasny, whose family endured the horrific concentration camps of World War II. Please consider attending.
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Our take last week, in which we opposed taxing residents for mass-transit initiatives, raised responses from both sides of the issue. As we consider this to be your newspaper, letters to the editor will be published as space allows. Thanks for maximizing on your opportunity to respond. Send comments to [email protected].