Cleaning, Sealing, the Building
June 12th, 2009For the last month, at varying days and times, there’s been some man raised via lift or scaffolding to the Pulitzer’s outside walls, putting something all over the cement. Don’t worry-I know these men to be part of the facilities crew and have thought nothing of it. I simply say, “Hi!” and walk in the building.
Generally, when I see things, such as Facilities Manager Steve Morby carrying a big bucket of something through the hallway, or Assistant Facilities Manager Shane Simmons sloshing through the Water Court in galoshes, or a pair of pink, man-size latex gloves (which must be theirs, right?) near my desk, I don’t ask questions. If I did, I’d be asking for shop class every day, since these guys have a big job every day.
“Can you tell me about how you’re cleaning the Water Court?” I asked Steve today.
“Well, actually we’re not cleaning the Water Court. We drained it to get the scaffolding in it.”
Besides explaining the Pulitzer’s intricate air system, when I asked him about the grates in the galleries, Steve told me today about a job they’ve been working on for a month. Throughout the year, a sealant on the building becomes damaged by UV rays. Besides that, the walls can become stained with dirt and acid rain, so to preserve the building as best they can, the facilities department cleans and re-seals the outside cement once a year.
This year, Craig Courtney was assigned the task of cleaning the walls of dirt, old sealant, and sulfuric acid stains-using a Scotch-Brite on a pole and industrial detergent. He pointed out that the building will always be fighting the elements, and it’s impossible to keep it as it was when first built, but he joked, “I think it’s still a high A.”
Craig said the wall in the photo of him below took about three days work. He appreciates the exercise in perseverance, although it appears to have affected his life outside of work.
“At the beginning of this project, I had this dream that I was working, and Ando and his interpreter came up to me and said, ‘You missed a spot,’ and I had to start over.”
Craig cleans.
Doug seals.
Seems you’d be better off destroying the building and constructing one that requires less upkeep. It’s ironic when the building which was meant to serve as protection from the outside itself needs much protection.
Brian, I’m sorry you feel that way. Our facilities team takes pride in how they maintain the building, and because of the building’s complexity (i.e. the water court), they have a wealth of knowledge that might not be gained through working on the average house of bricks. Our facilities manager helped direct the Pulitzer’s construction, and it’s fascinating to hear him talk about the exceptional history and discipline behind it.