St Mary Academy Bay View

NE²
The New Elevator/Entrance Project

written by Karen Hanrahan,
Director of Capital Campaign/Major Gifts
photos by Rick Mowry,
Construction Superintendent, NE Construction

Keep scrolling for Project progression...

Cement shoots down into the pit that will house the base of the elevator shaft that is part of the new entrance. The foundation was laid after much excavation for the pit and the expanded parking area behind the high school. In addition, a lot of fencing and jersey barriers were placed around the site to make sure there was a safe walkway for student into the high school.

And the wall came tumbling down. Pieces of the outside wall of Mercy Hall came down to make way for the elevator shaft. The elevator will have stops on four levels – from the lower levels to the auditorium hallway to the top level Science and Technology Center – making all areas of the school easily handicapped accessible.

Form into function - the form of the elevator shaft being built along the outside wall of Mercy Hall. The shaft is being built outside of the existing building and the elevator will open even with the current outside wall. This allows for minimal invasion into the Gribbin Library and Science/Technology Center, where only a short hall will take space away from these vital parts of the school.

Curbing our enthusiasm! New curbing is place along the expanded parking/drop off area directly behind the high school. This expansion will make additional room for school buses to drop off and pick up students at the new entrance and will really make the bus drop off and pick up at Manhattan at the Bay a joy!

Paving the way to getting construction trucks and equipment out of the driveway. The future parking/drop off area behind the school is now able to be used for all the construction vehicles and drop off of materials for the elevator/entrance construction.

Going up, first floor…Performing Arts… Good weather is allowing for much progress on the elevator shaft. The beams are going in and the construction on the shaft is moving quickly. Watch for our next installment – second floor…Library!

07 January 2010 update....

Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder
This construction person thinks he is just cutting a pocket for the entrance beam but the "aura" around him may be watching out for the other guy who is walking on top of the new entrance.

Curb Appeal
The new driveway for buses is nearly completed and the sidewalk to the existing parking lot is being readied for concrete.

Reaching for the Top
The elevator shaft is nearly completed.

Made It!
The outside of the shaft is done! Who would have thought that the bricks would match? There is a 60 year difference in age!

Blessing the elevator shaft? No, just waterproofing the inside. This was such a great photo we just had to include it.

If you don't like heights don't look at this photo! Cement blocks on the shaft are being grouted. Between grouting and waterproofing it's good to know the elevator shaft will be high and dry.

New entrance begins to take shape. The strange things that look like poles with graduation caps mark the outline of the entrance.

If You Don't Like Heights II
Walking the beams that make up the new entrance...these guys are fearless!

Finally a photo of the inside construction area. Not much to look at but progress is being made.

more to come...