Gulf Coast Works weblog

The roof starts

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

On Tuesday I mentioned to Burke that I was looking for a roofer. Wednesday morning he showed with a group spanish speaking men and a lady translator and business manager. They would do the roof including the 5/8″ plywood, and the soffits ( which I thought I would do with Tommy). So I followed them across town to a roofing store were I could get a good deal on shingles and the other supplies I would need. By the time I got back they were starting. I have adjusted the cost of labor to reflect less time for Tommy and crew that covers the roofers. This would have been a monumental job for volunteers and would not have taken place till next year. Now we are almost weather tight.

First snow on first wall

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

Thursday very cold and a little rain. We started to set up when it got worst. So we spent an hour making up the headers. About that time the rain turned to snow. Not just a few flakes but stick-to-the-ground snow. I wasn’t ready to call it a day when it stopped, so we set up for the next wall. By 4pm we had all the outside walls up. Clean up and go home (well it’s not home but it is warm and dry).

One down (up?), three to go

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

We finished finished the floor and about to start the first wall when it started to rain and blow. The cold front must be passing. By 4 p.m. we were cold and wet and we done for the day. We were warned nor to leave any supplies unguarded over night. So we moved it into the block house. By 5:30 we were muddy, wet and cold. It has to be better tomorrow.

Mark from Michigan, volunteer of the week

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

Mark from Michigan joined the team this week and brought some much needed skill and common sense to the worksite. The project is making really rapid progress, which is terrific after all the delays and problems we’ve encountered…

Linda can’t believe it’s finally happening

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

As we were setting up this morning, the first delivery of lumber arrives. We also got 2 more volunteers from HONO. After bumping into each other for the first hour or so we settled into putting the floor system in. The weather was pleasant and I was glad to be south for the winter. By the end of the day the joists were in with only the blocking to go.

Stairs at the back of the house

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

On Monday they poured the steps and the blocks. We got the green light to start Tuesday with the framing. Ron arrived from Denver this afternoon. He is here for who knows how many weeks. Also while I was at the house waiting for a plumber to look at the job along comes Mark from Michigan. He found us through Hands On New Orleans. He will join us on Tuesday. Tommy and his crew ( Tommy JR and Buddy ) will start work on Tuesday. So the long awaited day has arrived.

Linda and her rebuilt foundation

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

Last week a house down the block started on Tuesday and all the framing was done by Friday. We are going to beat them. Ron from Denver just showed up and a guy from Michigan who HandsOn New Orleans sent over will be helping for a week. Tommy and his 2 helpers will work through the holidays with Linda’s supervision. So anyone who is here can find work. I am getting the sense that we better be done before spring break because every thing is filling up.

WOW…we’re finally going to do it…

Originally uploaded by Gulf Coast Works.

After many, many (too many) months of struggling with red tape and delays of all kinds, the foundation to Linda Jackson’s house on Forestall Rd in the Lower Ninth Ward is finally being poured.

Project manager David Kramer reports:

The foundation chain wall is poured. EPCO said they would work on the weekend to set the blocks. Met with a plumber, he bid $7800, would start anytime after the floor is in. We still have no temporary
power, NENA can loan us a generator. I ordered the first lumber drop
on Tues. I moved most of what is left of our tools. We have NO NAIL GUN or sawz-all. I have no idea if they were taken off the shipment or out of the storage shed. No one I talked to has been at NENA long enough or ever knew what we had stored there. I just hope whoever has them found a job using them.