HomeMy WebLinkAboutLETTER Engineering 156 E Elkhorn Ave 2022-08-08
DATE: August 8, 2022
TO: Building Department
FROM: Frank E. Roberts, P.E.
RE: Outdoor World Building Condition
156 E. Elkhorn Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517
This project involves an existing retail building which incorporates a
historic log cabin structure within and which has been expanded over the years.
The existing building is located at the above described address and is utilized as
the Outdoor World retail store. Van Horn Engineering was contacted last winter
to evaluate the condition of the main floor support system and a main floor
stiffening plan was developed as detailed on the Van Horn Engineering “Main
Floor Stiffening Plan” dated 3/14/2022. The structural evaluation is limited to
the structural components supporting the main floor system and is based on
evaluation of components accessible at the time of the site visits. There are
several areas of the main floor which are distressed due to inadequate support in
the crawlspace below. Inadequate support conditions include settlement of
supports, lack of a foundation, rotted support posts, or non-existent support in a
point loaded area. The purpose of the main floor stiffening plan is to address
these inadequate support conditions. The purpose of the main floor stiffening
plan is not to bring the floor capacity up to the current commercial floor load
rating of 100 psf. It should be noted the main floor system live load rating is
estimated to be on the order of 40 psf based on existing joist and beam
sizes/spans. The existing retail store has been operating with this estimated live
load rating for many years. New beams/posts/foundations have been sized on the
basis of 100 psf live load rating.
Construction of the footings and supports has begun in the basement
storage area and is being performed by Aldrich Builders. The next phase of
stiffening will occur beneath the more inaccessible northern portion of the low
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crawlspace area. This phase of the construction is planned for February of 2023
when business is slower in the retail store as this phase will likely disrupt the day
to day operations of the store. As noted on the stiffening plan, since much of this
portion of the crawlspace is and was inaccessible for development of the
stiffening plan it will be important for a representative from Van Horn
Engineering to be notified when this phase of the project is in progress to make
any necessary adjustments to the stiffening plan as more information is available
on main floor framing layouts and condition of the main floor framing.
I recently visited the project site to view the condition of the crawlspace
and overall condition of the building. From my walk through there have been no
noticeable changes in the condition of the building support from when the main
floor stiffening plan was developed last winter/spring. It is my opinion the
building support system is adequate through the end of February 2023 as-is when
the main floor stiffening construction is scheduled to be completed. This opinion
is based on the building performance through the historic lifespan of the building
with the continued existing retail use, observations of the condition of the main
floor support system over the past 8 months, and the latest building walk through.
If any changes to the building’s structural condition is noted by the store staff,
ownership, or members of Aldrich Builders, Van Horn Engineering shall be
notified immediately to evaluate the issue.
After recently viewing the upper floor storage area it is recommended a
structural evaluation be conducted on the upper portion of the building. This will
require removal of portions of wall and ceiling covering to view structural
elements. There are cracks in the wall/ceiling covering at various locations in the
ceiling structure of the upper floor which could have been caused by inadequate
support conditions in the crawlspace which is being addressed in the main floor
stiffening plan but it is recommended further investigation be carried out to
determine if reinforcement is necessary in the roof structure or upper floor
structure.
Please let me know if you have any questions, 970-586-9388.
Sincerely,
Frank Roberts, P.E.
1043 Fish Creek Road x Estes Park, Colorado 80517 x 970-586-9388 x E-mail: info@vanhornengineering.com
Sincerely,
Frank Roberts P E
8/8/2022