Firm to Inspect City Hall Damage

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Wednesday, September 22, 1999

Ventura

Firm to Inspect City Hall Damage

By TONY LYSTRA

The face of the 87-year-old City Hall building is apparently succumbing to

the indignities of age, as well as mold, moisture and salt.

The city has contracted with M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates Inc., a

Sacramento-based construction firm, at an estimated cost of $102,000 to

inspect each of the white terra cotta tiles that cover the face of City

Hall.

" The building was built in 1912, and it's the premier building in the city, "

Mayor Jim Friedman said. " Unfortunately, it does wear down a bit, and we

have to put money into it to keep it as beautiful and pristine as we

possibly can.

" It is a landmark, and we want to take care of our landmark. "

Monday, Project Manager Don of the Public Works Department and Thang

Tran, the project's engineer, walked in the shadow of the towering, white

walls and pointed out where cracks, mold and salt deposits have caused

damage to the facade's surface. Worse, moisture has seeped into the mortar

between the terra cotta tiles, bubbling and cracking portions of the

exterior.

" We're trying to catch it in time to preserve it instead of replace it, "

said.

Copyright 1999 Los Angeles Times.