Rodney Stevens
The unsightly scaffold impeding pedestrians and businesses on Maclean’s main street for the past few months will soon be modified as work gets underway to fix the façade and awning outside four River Street businesses.
Maclean Chamber of Commerce president Christine Tyler said the Chamber had frequently been asked what the situation is with the scaffolding erected in front of 239-245 River Street, which takes up at least six valuable car parking spaces, as it seemingly looks like becoming a permanent fixture.
Ms Tyler said the owners of the four properties found themselves in a very worrying position when they were told of the damage.
“They were informed, late last year, the pedestrian awning stability is compromised at fixing points on the buildings parapet and the immediate concern was for pedestrian traffic safety,” she said.
“The short-term remedy was to secure the area, install restraining scaffolding and bring in structural engineers to assess the damage.
“The age of the building’s construction then 12 months of continual rain have culminated in what will finally require a substantial strengthening and re-aligning of the building’s parapet, reroofing of sections, upgraded waterproofing and the pedestrian awning redesign using timber support posts will remove further stress on the building’s facade.”
Two consulting firms assessed the properties and Ms Tyler said they were hopeful the owners elect to work with a company with experience in commercial and historic building restoration following the Newcastle earthquake.
“A simple, easy to understand report has been prepared for owners, the required work well detailed for the restoration of the parapet, roof construction design upgrade and increased weatherproofing.
“Christmas got in the way but now we should see progress with building trades back at work, the scaffolding design changed to suit restoration work and a clear building program put in place.
“In line with the engineering report, the property owners are working towards a result as soon as possible, fully understanding the disruption being caused to the town retail centre.”
A change in the scaffolding, Ms Tyler said, will signal that work is underway.
“The owners are in the process of getting quotes from project managers to organise this job, which will hopefully keep things moving forward,” she said.
“The next step would be to access a building firm who has expertise in this kind of maintenance on a substantial commercial site and lodge a DA to CVC for the change of the current awning to a posted one.
“There will be inconvenience for all for some time, but the finished product will hopefully give the town a fresh welcoming face to visitors and locals alike.”
Ms Tyler said the Maclean Chamber will keep locals informed as the project moves forward and they were hopeful of a collaborative team effort with the property owners and their chosen engineer, architect, builder and council to create a standout property for the Maclean CBD.