Building Blog - Last One!

Moving Day is Here!
Thursday and Friday the Chamber Staff will be moving items over to the new building.

From the old....... to the New!

Words cannot explain how grateful the Chamber Staff is to everyone for their support of this building project. It has been incredible and truly a "Community Project" as we said in the first Building Blog. For that we are eternally grateful.

Please make plans to attend the big celebration of the Grand Opening on Wednesday evening Aug. 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with tours of the building followed by a special presentation

Watch Video of Inside with Lynda Pouyer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pk29EXYcTE

View this video as our Chairman of the Board walks you through the building showing the inside. It is unbelieveable as to how fast the project is going. This just goes to show you how well everyone is working together to complete one fantastic project.

If all goes as planned, the staff will be moving over to the new building beginning July 5. We are planning the grand opening to be August 17, 2011. More details to follow.

You should be receiving a mailing of the last items available in the Capital Campaign and a Wish List of items needed for the new building. If you are able to be a part of the project in this way, please take a look at your mailing and let us know.

Also, Lynda Pouyer would like to thank John Jackson for his chairmanship of the Building Task Force. He has done an incredible job of leading this project along. Listen to the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t3u8Oyss1I

Assistance from consultant helps pull it all together!

Week #11 of 18

This week marked a turning point in the entire project. The inside work has now begun.

As sheet rock was placed over the

studs, the detail work of the interior and exterior exhibits began. Lots of signs, history, displays, panels, art, photos, etc. were discussed.

On Friday, a meeting was held with Gilbert Medina, one

of three exhibit designers for the State of Texas History Museum. He arrived from Austin at 11:30 a.m. and spent the rest of the day in the design mode.

Pictured are various volunteers discussing their portion of the exhibit with Gilbert. He met with the porch sign writers, the sign makers, the timeline creators, the display case folks and several others pertaining to art. Take a look at the photos and let us know your comments below. We would love to hear your thoughts.

... And They're Up!

Week 10 of 18 Weeks

Have you had a chance to drive by the new building? The Cupolas were placed on the roof in three areas last night Thursday, June 2. The structures were very difficult to secure onto the roof. It was really tough to meet all the windstorm requirements. This week, other than installing the hot metal roof, the contractors focused on wiring and cabling. The flooring bids have come in. Paint colors have been determined. Exhibit design is in full force with an army of around 50 people!

The Capital Campaign has nearly reached $30,000 of committed funds and sponsorships from businesses, and individuals throughout the community.

We are forever grateful to Aransas County Commissioners' Court for their contribution of $100,000.00 toward the Visitor Center portion of the project.

The Seafair and Sea-A-Bration events have been phenominal in their abilities to help fund this project.

Many of the exhibits inside will focus on the history and timeline of Aransas County.

This is Copula Week!

Week 8 of 18 Weeks!
Take a look at the photos in this blog. Can you tell what these structures are shaping up to be? They are three custom built Cupolas that will decorate the roof and bring about a nautical, coastal appearance. The metal roof will arrive next week, After the roof is placed, the Cupolas will be placed on top. We are now in the eighth week of construction. The building is soon to be dry-ed in and the inside work will commence.

We continue to work on the Capital Campaign allowing businesses and individuals to put their mark on the inner rooms and exhibits throughout the building. To date we have had more than $24,000 contributed towards the project. Businesses and individuals are not just making donations. They are choosing to advertise their business or attraction in the facility. If you are interested in doing this also or helping with the project, please email us at president@1rockport.org.

Silver Metal Roof Is On Its Way!

Week 7 of 18 Weeks
This week workers have been working on Windstorm tiedown requirements. The windows have been installed. The glass "impact" doors for entry into the Visitor Center have also been installed.

At the Chamber Luncheon, many of you heard how you can be involved in the project either through sponsorship or serving on the Interior Team. Watch your emails on how you can be involved.

For a pictorial update, take a look at the photos below...

Life is good!

Week 6 - Building Blog

We are nearly complete with structural framing and windstorm certification. We will be installing plywood roofs this week and drying in so next week mechanical subcontractors can start work. We will be installing windows and doors shortly. We will then resume the Hardie siding and trimming.

Again, if you want to be involved in this project in terms of the inside furnishings, exhibits, displays, please contact president@1rockport.org.

Week 5 of 18 Weeks

It's Starting To Look A Lot Like A Lighthouse!

As we finish up week 5, the builders are aiming to have it all dried in by next week. We are excited to see the walls of the Visitor Center take shape. It was a dream, of more than 40 years, to have it take the shape of a Lighthouse and now it is a reality.

The inside design work will be done by a "Community Team". If you are interested in jumping in to help, maybe you have expertise in this area or would just like to help, please email president@1rockport.org.

Below are pictures from the site:

Front Porch and Inside View of the
Visitor Center





Stay tuned to next week...

Week 4 of 18 Weeks

Week 4 of 18 Weeks

The Visitor Center portion of the project is underway! The walls are going up as you are reading this! Drive by and take a look at the progress. This is your Visitor Center and Chamber Office and we want you to feel a part of the project.

The welcome archway is up. The center viewing area is ready to dry in. You can begin to see the nice large restrooms.

Next week you will receive an email on a sponsorship packet. Let us know if you are interested. Please also let us know if you are interested in helping with the exhibits or photo gathering. We want to hear from you!

Foundation Fun!

Week 3 of 18 Weeks

Wow! Lots is happening on the inside and outside of the building. It is amazing how fast-moving the project is going. This week has been fun as we watched the workers pour the foundation for the Visitor Center.

Chamber staff put their initials in the foundation. It is neat to part of history in the making!

You can begin to see where the front porch area will be. It will have great views to the harbor.

Plans are underway to setup the action steps for the inside. It will be a community project. Let us know if you want to be involved by emailing president@1rockport.org

Getting ready for the concrete!

Week 2 - Concrete truck is on its way!

Have you driven by the building lately? Wow, we are in week 2 of 18 weeks and the plumbing has been installed. We are waiting for the concrete truck to arrive in the next couple of days. The dirt area is being prepared for the foundation of the Visitor Center portion of the building. Workman below are removing the sidewalk to extract the Palm Tree. The workman was there for more than 6 hours drilling and drilling. The concrete sidewalk must be more than 40 years old. I am sure the workman would agree to that. Shelly Stuart and I are making daily trips over to the building to follow along on the progress. We talked about how his arms must be so sore! The back wall has been removed and the studs are being placed to form the wall for one of the restr ooms. Stay tuned a s we bring you a photo history of the building project through this blog. We want this project to be a community project. This is the community's Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center and we want you to be a part of it. A launching party will be held in May to officially kick off some of the design of the exhibits in the Visitor Center. Let me know in the comment box below if you are interested in helping with the project. Thank you, Diane Probst

Foundation is First Step

Week 1 - Progress is being made as workers are busy turning dirt at 319 Broadway.

In the left photo below, you can see the old sidewalk is being moved from the edge of the building. In the photo to the right, you can begin to see the land being cleared in preparation to lay the foundation.

On the inside, the interior walls of the old portion of the remodel have been removed. The area in the photo to the right was once a dentist office so all the patient areas have been removed along with breakroom materials and a partial restroom.





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Construction Begins!

Watch the video as Chairman Lynda Pouyer announces the remodel and expansion of the Chamber offices and Visitor Center has begun. It is exciting! The project is underway!

Periodically, you will receive updates via this blog site so that you may follow along with the construction process. We will keep the updates short and simple. This will also create a great journal for future generations.

Keep in mind this building was the old Rockport City Hall from 1960 to the late 1980s. It then became an insurance building and a dentist office. Later it became offices for a development project. Today, it is going to be transformed into the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce offices and Visitor Center.

This has been a "work in progress" for the Chamber for over 10 years.