ARTS LINKS:
Campaign for the Arts
Public Facilities District
Whatcom Museum of History & Art
ARTICLES:
MBT Phase II construction... - Bellingham Herald
PHOTOS:
New acoustic insulation that will line the air ducts throughout the lower plenums to minimize the ambient noise created when the HVAC is on.
One of the many new electric service panels being installed.
New duct being installed under the main theatre that will transport conditioned air into the balcony.
Taken in the administrative offices...you can see new ventilation ducts, fire suppression piping and electrical throughout.
Framework for the new ticket sales windows. Once complete there will be two interior service windows and a third that will face directly onto the sidewalk in front of the theatre.
Workmen are completing the disconnect of the old power lines.
More new concrete cuts to allow additional duct work that will improve air flow into the lobby. This picture is taken in the closet under the main lobby stairs.
The radiators in the mezzanine are getting refurbished. Once work is complete the decorative panels normally seen in front of these radiators will be returned to their original locations.
April 1, 2008
Reconstruction is well underway. All of the seats in the main auditorium have been removed and stored off-site; the construction crews will be drilling over 200 holes into the floor as part of the update to the ventilation system. The power distribution room, known affectionately as the “Frankenstein room” due to the rows of massive antique electric switches lining its walls, was demolished last week, and today the giant fan, part of the original ventilation and cooling system, is being disassembled. This week electrical and mechanical ductwork are being routed, and the crews are determining specific locations for various large pieces of equipment.
October 31, 2007
PFD Approves going to bid:
The PFD Board met October 24th, spoke to their commitment to the project and unanimously authorized going to bid with Phase II. We were not asked to make any further changes in the scope of work.
Key timelines and details include:
We intend to start advertising for bids by Friday, November 2nd and continue that for a period of six weeks. This means bids will be opened in mid-December (Friday December 14 or Monday, December 17.) This will put us on track to take the successful bid to City Council and request action awarding the bid to the "lowest responsive, responsible" bidder on January 14, 2008.
Permit Process:
We recently received the Notice of Decision from the Historic Preservation Commission. They approved the Certificate of Alteration for the Phase II changes affecting the theatre that required HPC review and approval.
We have submitted a permit set of drawings and specification for review. We plan to complete the permit process and have permits in hand well before construction. The project soft costs include estimated permit costs and the time and cost savings should assist us in receiving competitive bids.
Patricia Decker is the key staff member for the PFD who has been instrumental in pushing this project forward. She will be retiring at the end of December but Tara Sundin will be replacing her. Tara has been an active City employee in the Planning and Community Development Department.
October 17, 2007
In March of 2008 the Theatre will undergo exciting upgrades. While the Main Stage is in a temporary intermission for rewiring and other improvements, performances will be moved to the MBT Studio Theatre, a more intimate space. These shows are an extension of the Main Stage season, performed in a setting where every seat feels like a front row view! The 2008-09 Season will open on the Main Stage in December of 2008 with a performance that will showcase the updated features of Whatcom County’s premier arts venue.
