Quelab New Building Update

October 27, 2024

Hello Everyone!   We have been remiss in providing updates on the website so this is the first of a weekly update on the status of Quelab 3.0's new location of 1511 Central NE.

ISSUES

1. INSURANCE: We still do not have insurance although we have 4 different agents trying to get it set up. The problem is that the building sat vacant for 4 years without insurance. We also had our insurance cancelled at the Haines location because of claims due to the floods. Even though they were not our fault we became a very poor risk.
2. ELECTRICAL: When the building was purchased the electrical system throughout was a nightmare. Many large safety issues had to be dealt with as well as numerous electrical code violations - worn out florescent lights and very old ungrounded receptacles and switches. Because we are changing occupancy code and use we also have to recompute the entire electrical load on the building and resize power input circuits. This has been compounded by new New Mexico electrical codes that no one is sure how to interpret and sizing issues on the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC).
3. HVAC: What there was of the HVAC on the building was completely stripped out a week after the purchase agreement was signed. The laws have changed regarding requirements and the type of equipment that must be used in buildings. Determining exactly what we need to install is also compounded by the new building codes and lack of adequate certified inspectors on a state wide level to help interpret the rules. Much of the ducting was illegal use of flexible pipes that had to be torn out.
4. SECURITY and ALARMS: The building was vandalized and is vulnerable even though there is a chain link fence. The wall and top of the building are open for easy access. The fire alarm system did not meet code requirements and all the low voltage wiring was like a bowl of spaghetti.
5. CONSTRUCTION: The building needed some reconstruction to accommodate moving our large equipment into various rooms. A lot of the various room assignments were dictated by the layout of the building but access doors needed to be made. The electrical and HVAC ducting rebuild required a lot of holes to be cut and filled. The building was a hodge-podge of faded colors and the floors were a terrible mess as were all three parking lots. 
6. OVERCROWDING: Despite trying to weed out two large 30-cubic yard dumpsters of “junk” we still ended up moving 5 storage pods of “stuff” from Haines as well as all the good “stuff” moved the last week. Most of this “Stuff” has been unloaded at Central in order to clean up the parking lot for members to use. Moving all this stuff required that things were placed on any available empty space.
7. FINANCES: The 1511 Central LLC that purchased the building pledged a million dollars to fund the acquisition and renovation. Quelab itself was in its best financial position ever and received some great contributions when everything started. However, all the electrical, HVAC, construction and move expenses add up. We have sufficient funds to do almost everything but it is also a constraint that need careful attention.

CURRENT STATUS

1. INSURANCE: Four different agencies working on it. 
2. ELECTRICAL: Most of the egregious problems have been corrected and new LED lights installed. They have replaced two of the biggest problem circuit breaker panels and are working on others. Power has been mostly restored to the upper floor as well as replacing most of the receptacles and switches. Several new circuits have been added. The panel that fed the elevator and part of the downstairs had to be removed because of the plumbing leak that was discovered. They will be starting to add some of the new circuits for various rooms including the break room, CNC, machine and wood shops and welding area. We are still at least several weeks away from having all the electrical issues finished.
3. HVAC: The engineers keep disagreeing on exactly we need for the building. Several options have been proposed but no resolution as of yet. The good news is that it doesn’t look like we will need the real big unit initially proposed because that had a lead time measured in months. They have corrected some of the minor plumbing issues and fixed the sewer leak. They have not started putting in the required new ducting because of the uncertainty of exactly what is needed. They are working on the ventilation issues for the laser cutter and other rooms.
4. SECURITY: Adam Ivey has done a masterful job of reconfiguring the entire low voltage system. This includes magnetic locks for doors, access control, fire alarms, video systems and other security issues. He has finally removed most of the bad old wiring and is pulling new wires daily. He has been able to partially complete the fire alarm system which is a necessity before we can even think about opening up.
5. CONSTRUCTION: All the walls have been painted a very light blue replacing the kaleidoscope of dull colors. We are painting all of the trim now. All the floors have been resurfaced once and will be again before we fully open. All 3 parking lots have been renovated and repainted. All the major construction work has been completed but there are still some door frames and electrical holes that need patching. This work is continuing and when it is complete a lot of walls will be repainted where repair work was/is being done. There are still many electrical and plumbing holes to be made so this will be a continuous operation for a while.
6. OVERCROWDING: The serious overcrowding is evident everywhere. Stewards are encouraged to come down and sort through their rooms so we can put things at least in the room they belong. A major concentration last week did a masterful job of cleaning up the north (main) parking lot and moving things around.

PROJECTIONS

1. We cannot make a projection as to full opening of cannot until the insurance and HVAC issues have been resolved. They are the key elements holding up our application for a change of occupancy permit necessary for full opening. We are working these issues as aggressively as possible.
2. We are trying to fix the ventilation issues for the laser cutter as well as finish necessary wiring. As it stands, we expect to have the laser cutter open with controlled access by the end of the first week of November. 
3. We will be making a major effort to clean up and move unnecessary items out of the Fiber Arts and Digital Arts/3d Printing rooms in the next week. There are still HVAC and electrical issues on these three rooms, but they may be open on a limited basis shortly after the laser room is open.
4. For security, insurance and access issues the board will be enforcing our by-laws requirement to have a current photo (not avatar), address, phone number and emergency contact on file. Everyone will also be required to annually SIGN a copy of our waiver. We will start documenting these within the next couple of weeks.
5. Depending on #1 above we hope to start orientations for stewards and existing members prior to Thanksgiving Day and for new members around the first of December. Because of the factors beyond our control and their impact on the progress being made these projects are just that – projections.

I will update this posting on a weekly basis, and we will continue to do our best to fully open Quelab to all members as soon as we are legally and safely allowed.

If anyone has questions, I am available at any time via phone or email.

Darrel Knutson

Chief Cat Herder

darrel@quelab.net