Phase II about to start now

Next week work is going to start on Phase II. This week our staff have been kept really busy. This phase of the work is on the ground floor and impinges on many of the public areas, whilst for many people Phase 1 was out of site on the garden level of the building.

So many areas of the meeting house need to be cleared out ready for building action over the summer. A huge task for those involved, whilst maintaining lettings as far as possible. The library and all its books are also being moved, which in itself is no small task.

An added unforeseen complication has been caused by the start of major renovation and building works directly opposite to us in Friargate, of which we had been unaware – until last Sunday morning the scaffolders moved in and blocked off access to Friargate.

This means added difficulties for access in that narrow little street which is Friargate, as well as the removal of all the public bike racks there.  And these were part of the arrangements for visitors to the meeting house while our own bike parking facilities are out of action during the building works ...

Great to see how Tasha, Phyllis and Helen are coping with everything cropping up each day with such calm and competence.

And good to see how the final part of the Friargate Project takes off.

A sneak preview of Phase II

Our architects have prepared some 3-D impressions of the exterior of the meeting house after the completion of Phase II.

Here's the view from the garden, with the Garden Room / Quiet Room tower on the left (already built as part of Phase I). The connecting section to the new rooms and the new rooms themselves are on the new upper floor.

And here's the view from the end of the terrace on the ground floor:

The new rooms are on the new upper floor on the right of the picture. Access from the terrace is also possible to the Quiet Room, the main meeting room, the new lift and stairs.

And finally, here's a bird's eye view, looking down onto the whole project:

Friargate Phase 2: Ready for the Off!

Now that the financing arrangements of the remaining works are in place, York Area Meeting Trustees have given the green light for the second phase to start.

Work is due to start later this month:

• Underpinning part of the building;
• Moving the library, ready for the creation of the new seating area;
• The addition of new rooms on an upper floor;
• Refurbishment of the present cloakrooms;
• Various improvements to the ground floor area.

OFFERS NEEDED!

Tasha, our meeting house manager, is looking for offers of practical help from 20th July on, in moving the library contents, and on 25th for clearing rooms and moving furniture. 
She would like you to contact her as soon as possible if you can lend a hand.




SPECIAL MEETING HOUSE ARRANGEMENTS 

The group co-ordinating the works has helpfully given some indications of arrangements and timetable ahead.

Building work starts on Monday 27^th July and is due to finish on Friday 27^th November.

The main entrance to Friargate Meeting House will be available at all times during the contract, as will the disabled WC. 

On Sundays only, the downstairs toilets will be accessible through the Fell Room.

Children’s’ meetings will be all-age, and take place in the Fox Room.

ork on the ground floor toilets will mean that there will be no access to ladies or gents facilities, probably until September

The kitchen will be available on Sundays and usually during the week, but may be closed from time to time when specific building operations are carried out from the scaffolding overhead.

The present library, the Penn Room and the Quiet Room will be out of use for the duration of the contract.

U3A, AA, and users of the rooms on the garden level will access the basement area from Clifford Street only.

The outer lobby at the front of the building will be used by the contractors as an office for the site foreman, and the patio and side passageway as a materials store. 

The white gates will only be used to access the Assistant Manager’s house and the Fox Room. The passageway will be fenced off, similar to the arrangements in Phase one.

Bikes should be locked to the racks on Friargate.

NB

During August the Meeting House will normally be closed.  Staff can only guarantee to be open 10-12 Monday to Friday if there are bookings already in the diary.  If Friends need access to the building, for whatever reason, please contact the Meeting House staff in advance and they will be as helpful as they can be.  August will be used for staff holidays, cleaning and ‘catching up’. 

From September Friends will be able to call in to the Meeting House as usual, at the opening times of 10-4, Monday - Friday, but are asked to be aware that building operations are going on and to comply with any requirements or restrictions which are there in the interests of safety.