Update on Window Replacement Project

A meeting to discuss the possible replacement of unit windows was held on Tuesday, May 23rd in the Heritage Room at 10 Norman Street, In Attendance for Markwood Management was Kim Lord and Trustee George Courage. Eight owners also attended. The main topics of discussion were:

Why replace the windows? 

Age of the Windows
The building was converted to condos in 1984-85, which means the windows are about 32 years old. Many commercial windows have a life expectancy of about 20-25 years. We are at or beyond the life expectancy of the original windows.

Energy Conservation 
The last few years have seen some steep increases in electrical rates, especially in the winter. The inefficiency of the windows has been a contributing factor.

Air Quality/Airflow
Many of the window counter weights have broken, making the windows incredibly difficult to open for ventilation. Many of the screens are also missing/broken.

Seal Breakage
The seals on many windows are cracked or broken which nullifies their insulating qualities and in some cases create drafts.  Many of the windows no longer close and seal properly.

Repair or Replace?
Although broken or cracked glass can be replaced, and seals redone, there is no way to replace/restore the argon gas in between the two panes of glass, greatly reducing the insulating qualities of the window. Finding a vendor willing and able to do repairs has proved difficult, expensive, and very limited. For instance there is no way to repair the broken counterweights.

Aesthetics
Many of the windows are visibly worn and aged-looking, and many are jury rigged or propped open with everything from sticks to box fans. This makes the building look shabby and reduces it's value to prospective tenants/owners.
 
Value to the Unit
Replacing the windows would most likely enhance the value of the unit either to attract potential buyers or tenants.

Structural 
At this time there is no structural reason to replace the windows. We had a structural engineer come and take a look at the building before the meeting, and although we have not yet received his final written report, he said that there was no indication of major structural problems either caused by, or affecting the windows.

Sound
Newer windows with double or triple-pained glass will also greatly reduce ambient noise from the downtown area including pedestrian and vehicular noise.

Liability
Injury to a tenant caused by the lifting or falling of the very heavy windows and possible legal action resulting from it may be a strong incentive for owners to replace the windows.

Why Replace the Windows Now?

Cost Savings
The more owners decide to get their windows replaced at the same time, the cheaper it will be for everyone. Besides the cost of the windows themselves, the equipment and personnel required to replace them become prohibitive on an individual basis.

Less Disruptive to Residents
If we as many as we can at once, we reduce the amount of disruption to the building.

Savings on Heating/Cooling 
Although replacing the windows is expensive, there may be state incentives in the form of grants rebates or loans available to help make our building more energy efficient.

Next Steps
We had (8) owners sign up for a group e-mail list that will keep everyone informed of developments on the windows. Trustee George Courage contacted the preferred vendor for a more detailed estimate for the project. Owner Dustin Quadros has gathered information about getting an energy audit, a step which could be helpful in obtaining financing for the project.

If you were unable to attend the meeting but are interested in replacing your windows, please contact Markwood Management or e-mail george@georgecouragecreative.com, for more information.

Planning Board Meeting about Proposed Development at 120 Washington Street

Residents of 24 Norman Street, be aware (if you have not already received notice from the City of Salem Planning Board) that there will be a public hearing on Thurday, June 1, 2017 at 7:00 PM in room 313, third floor at 120 Washington Street to review plans to convert the 3rd and 4th floor offices at 120 Washington Street, currently occupied by the city, into (14) residential units and construct a common roof deck on the 2nd floor. The potential impact of this for 24 Norman Street residents is possible sound issues for the back and north side of the building, and especially on available area parking. The 120 Washington Street building has no parking of it's own and no mention has been made of where these (14) residents are going to be parking. Will the city make a deal to sell/lease more spaces in the already crowded Riley Plaza? With the leasing of space in Riley Plaza to the Merchant Hotel, another (2) hotels being built on Essex and Washington Streets and the loss of (8) spaces to tour-bus parking, parking availability promised to be a hot issue in the coming year or so.  If you can, please attend the meeting to find out the details of what is being proposed and to rasie any concerns you may have. This may be your only opportunity to be heard.

Boston Globe Survey: Dedicated Bus Parking in Holyoke Square

Should Salem continue to maintain dedicated bus spaces in Holyoke Square? - The Boston Globe

If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you are aware that the city council recently narrowly voted to make the north side of Holyoke Square into dedicated tour bus parking, year-round.
This has had an adverse affect on the availability of parking spaces in the neighborhood of 24 Norman Street.

An article posted to the April 21 bostonglobe.com website featured arguments for and against dedicated tour bus parking in Holyoke Square. Arguing YES was Kate Fox, Executive director of Destination Salem, arguing NO was Arthur Sargent, Salem city councilor at large.
The link to the article is here: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2017/04/21/should-salem-continue-maintain-dedicated-bus-spaces-holyoke-square/TlMapKBUM8CIfEvrk3SR2H/story.html

There was also a survey asking "Should Salem continue to maintain dedicated bus spaces in Holyoke Square?". If you have the time and/or a subscription to the Globe website, please go and read the article, and vote. The results as of Friday were 39 votes AGAINST and 18 votes FOR. Although it is a non-binding survey, anything we can do to make our opinion heard will be helpful. You can be sure that the opposing side will be networking in favor of their agenda.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 4

TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 4
6:30PM
120 WASHINGTON STREET, 3rd Floor

Late in 2015, a pedestrian required emergency services after being struck by a car and seriously injured on lower Endicott Street at its intersection with Pratt. The vehicle, coming from Marblehead, came across the Margin Street intersection from Mill Street (Domino's, Walsh Insurance). Following this incident, 47 immediate neighbors signed a petition asking the Mayor for help with an unacceptable and steadily worsening traffic situation that you are probably quite aware of.
In December 2015, GESNA (Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Association) created the Lower Endicott Traffic Sub-Committee (LETS-C) to work with the city to find a solution. It has 6 official members and about the same number of other neighbors assisting. They all live in the affected area (between the intersections of Endicott/Margin and Endicott/Summer).

In early 2016, the city hired an independent firm (the VHB) to conduct a study of the situation. At a meeting in April 2016, the LETS-C learned the results: An appalling 2,400 vehicles enter Endicott Street from Mill and Margin per day. To make matters worse, many of these vehicles travel at speeds that are not appropriate for a neighborhood street. In mid-2016, two "20mph" signs were installed on lower Endicott. While not enforceable, it was hoped that they might slow traffic down. However, with each passing day, lower Endicott becomes a more common short-cut for non-neighborhood drivers looking to avoid downtown Salem and get to points north and west as quickly as possible. GESNA is aware of at least 2 more traffic accidents in the affected area since the first incident. One vehicle, nearly totaled, had to be towed away.

In January 2017, the LETS-C coordinator gave new City of Salem Traffic and Parking Director, Matt Smith, a tour of the problem area. The Director suggested another meeting with the LETS-C and to invite residents of both lower Endicott and Prescott Streets. That meeting took place on April 11, 2017. In attendance were Matt Smith, Mayor Kim Driscoll, Councilors Stephen Lovely and Arthur Sargent, City Engineer David Knowlton, the VHB and 13 neighbors. Several ideas were discussed and will continue to be considered, including having lower Endicott Street become a one-way (down from Summer Street to Margin). The rest of the street would remain unchanged.

One of those ideas is being sent to the Traffic Commission for approval. It is a Pilot Program (test run) for lower Endicott and lower Prescott Streets. If approved, signage that will read "Do Not Enter, 7-9AM, 3-6PM" will be placed at the intersections of Endicott/Margin and Prescott/Margin. The reason Prescott Street would get this restriction along with Endicott, is because traffic that currently uses Endicott might simply adopt Prescott Street as the new short-cut. Thus, the same traffic nightmare plaguing Endicott could be recreated one street over. While this part-time restriction is slightly inconvenient, it is a sacrifice the lower Endicott residents are willing to make for a safer street and the greater good.

This change would also affect those of you who use lower Endicott and Prescott Streets. For that reason, GESNA, Matt Smith, Mayor Driscoll and the Councilors all feel these developments should be shared with the entire neighborhood at this time. If you have an opinion, idea, question or concern, you may want to attend the next meeting of the Traffic and Parking Commission to share them. Again, the Commission will be making the final determination on implementing this one option.

Contact info:
MATT SMITH, Traffic and Parking Director
msmith@salem.com
978-619-5697