USPS Freeport Historic Building Masonry Repairs
Freeport, Illinois
American Structurepoint’s engineers performed investigations and designed repairs for this historic 3-story US Postal Service building. The purpose of our work was to evaluate the condition of the north, south, and east elevation parapet wall and cornice system of the building, originally constructed in 1931, and provide repair recommendations as necessary. The subject building underwent an addition that extended the building to the east in the early 1930s. Reported issues with the parapet and cornice included deteriorated mortar, flashings, and terra cotta, which led to water infiltration within the building and loose debris that could fall to the ground below. We visited the site and observed the exterior parapet and cornice conditions from the ground, from an aerial lift, and from the roof level.
Our team also reviewed the construction drawings of the original structure built in the 1900s and 1930s addition. Phase I repairs were performed in 2011-2012 and included the cornice and parapet on the north, south, and west elevations of the original 1902 portion of the post office. Based on the observations our team made during our investigations, we developed several repair options for the parapet wall and cornice systems in the short term to preserve the present condition of the building and limit further water infiltration and deterioration, including an opinion of probable construction cost for each repair option. American Structurepoint prepared construction documents (specifications and drawings) to complete the repairs and provided construction administration services.