By Heather Neier, Advisory Board Co-chair
During the 2012-13 academic year, the Facility Corporation Board (FCB) discussed renovation plans for the summer of 2013. They started with what appeared to be resolving a simple problem—levelling a few bluestones so there would not be water pooling (or ice forming in cold weather) on the sidewalk below the porch steps. Salting this area in winter had damaged the mortar, some plants, etc.
If we would have known, we could have contacted PBS’s “This Old House”…
As the FCB requested quotes from contractors, they were told the large tree on the parlor corner of the house needed to be removed because its roots were causing change in the bluestones. They also found out the reason the front gutters no longer drained was due to the tree’s roots.
The landscape company that maintained the front plantings was contacted about cutting down the tree as well as perhaps redoing and/or adding a few new plantings to the area. They suggested doing away with our small amount of grass so there would be no mowing; asked if we had ever thought of irrigation for the front; and requested we use a landscape architect to discuss the new plantings.
Late in 2012, the FCB decided to move forward in stages with the entire project taking two or even three summers. The tree was to be removed as soon as possible and cleaning the roots from the gutters was the priority. The FCB had reviewed a new plantings layout where there would be seasonal color and evergreens. Everyone was excited.
2013 has been one of the wettest years ever for Charlottesville… one delay added to another improvement…
Some of the work scheduled for the 2013 spring break was postponed due to the weather until the house was empty. It became obvious the drain for the gutters would have to be replaced from the house to the street’s storm water system. This necessitated the new plantings be done in 2013 not 2014. Irrigation was moved forward also. Redoing the high risers for the steps to the sidewalk by the kitchen was added. Lighting along this was reviewed. And at long last, there was a reason to replace the short wall along Chancellor and front steps.
As August approached ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” started coming to mind…
Yet as opening day for the house approached (August 24th), everything began to come together. The amount of topsoil ordered was increased as well as the mulch. Most of the plantings were done.
Trees were to be planted when the weather was cooler perhaps during Fall Break; however, as luck would have it, mid-October turned out to be too early since leaves had not turned and fallen.
So the 2013 summer project continues to unfold. Please come by and see us. Spring 2014 should be lovely and probably even more so each year as the Hellebores thrive; Cotoneasters grow; the Fringe trees and Japanese Dogwood are planted; and the moss grows between the front stones.