Construction update 06-06-2013

The concrete pad for the Farm Credit Building seems to be in place. A couple of weeks ago the workers were still installing drainage.

 Dale's Steak and Chop Shop has almost finished enclosing coolers or freezers. It is located behind the bowling alley.

The old woodwork was replaced on the Steinke's and by now may be covered with vinyl siding.

 In addition to vinyl siding, the renovation is adding decorative stonework. This picture shows the back corner of the building.

 In April I wondered how the new garage at the Owen Parker house would blend with the rest of the building. It appears that it will blend very well judging from the roofing tiles.

 Someone who knows a lot about architecture told me a few years ago that the Owen Parker house was the most interesting bit of residential architecture in Rensselaer. Built in 1917, it has elements of Craftsman and Tudor Revival styles. I have no idea who Owen Parker was, but he must have been one of the prominent citizens a century ago.

Another bit of residential renovation that has caught my attention is on the corner of Jefferson and Jackson. It was built circa 1905 and has been gutted, taken down to the studs. When they started working on it, I wondered if they were going to demolish it completely. Here is what it looked like at the beginning of May.

 After a new roof, siding, new windows, a new front porch, and who knows what has been changed inside, this is what it currently looks like.

The other big construction project is work on the electrical substations near the power plant and on Melville. Work continues, but it does not lend itself to interesting pictures.