Broad Street Buildings

Project Description:
After a lengthy selection process conducted by the Charleston Capital Projects Foundation, Midwest Maintenance, Inc. was selected to perform a renovation of designated portions of five historic buildings along Charleston’s Broad Street.  Our task was to stabilize and weather proof the walls, doors, windows, and roofs of five historic structures located at 88 Broad Street (c.1911); 90 Broad Street (c. 1794); 92 Broad Street (c.1740); 96 Broad Street (c.1835) and 98 Broad Street (c.1835).  We were considered for this project, in part, because of work on the Historic Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

Planning:
No project of this magnitude can be successfully completed without in-depth pre-work planning. Analysis of wood, tile and sheet metal was done to ensure our ability to procure materials that would be exact duplicates.  Paint samples were evaluated for creating a match with existing paint that had been aged.  Windows were inspected, walls opened, and the foundations uncovered to determine the best and most feasible method of repair.  Our planning prevented false starts that could have not only led to project completion delays but, most importantly, caused irreparable damage to the structures that would have resulted from improper renovation procedures.

Project Execution:
The project included reinforcing concrete, masonry work on stseps and stoops along with other restorative masonry and, when necessary, new masonry.  All wood had been evaluated and repaired where feasible and replaced when judged irreparable.  Wood restoration included all windows, including some sill replacement and doors.  Roofing replacement utilized a range of materials from tile to sheet metal and, in some cases, single ply EPDM. Glass was replaced and reglazed.  The structures were painted matching original color.  The mostly brick foundations were stabilized.

Summary:
The Broad Street project allowed Midwest Maintenance, Inc. to employ our full range of renovation and restoration skills.  The project was implemented using our own work force, which contributed to an on-time and on-budget completion.  After ten months of painstaking work, we feel we made a measurable contribution to preserving a part of Charleston’s history.

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Awards:
Associated Builders and Contractors Regional Award of Merit

Associated Builders and Contractors National Award of Merit

*Photos taken by Tripp Smith, Tripp Smith Photography in Charleston, South Carolina