HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0713.004 2004-2006 Swallow, Linda
From: john parazette (jzette@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 5:19 PM
To: Jacobson, Bob
Cc: Safarik, Gary
Subject: Portion Ben Franklin Building as Council Offices, TMK: 2-2-07: 43
Gentlemen:
Since you are both on record as having reservations on this proposed use
according to the Sunday edition of West Hawaii Today, I am addressing this
concern to you. In 1990, my firm was commissioned by Mr. Dan Fast to
prepare plans for "Bay City Motors", a car agency which was to occupy the
building, then vacant. Structural consultant for this work was J.Brian -
Hughes & Associates of Honolulu. We obtained plans of the existing -
building, the former "Safeway" supermarket from the County; the building was
constructed in 1969-1970 according to dates on the plans.
Construction of the "Bay City" project by "Eastwood Construction, Inc." of
Hilo continued from late 1990 to mid 1991 when it was abandoned due to
financial problems experienced by the Owner.
During construction, we discovered that there had been deviations from the
original approved plans which we corrected as they appeared. Some other
anticipated remedial work to the existing structure was never performed
prior to abandonment.
The Building code has been updated several times since the original
construction; seismic design criteria has been refined during that same
period and the latest technology has yet to be adopted by Hawaii County.
I would strongly recommend as a professional architect and a taxpayer that
an appropriate survey of the existing building be commissioned by the County
prior to considering the proposed purchase. The survey should be performed
by a qualified engineer according to "ASCE/SEI31-03", the current accepted
standard for such work.
Respectfully
John Parazette,
Professional Architect 5225
Comm. No._!~•_Z
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