Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II May 2014 Volume 2 No. 1 Office municipal d habitation de Montréal Major Renovations at Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II Major renovations an investment of nearly $725,000 are being carried out at Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II, located at 171 and 171A rue Sainte-Anne. The purpose of the renovations is to make the foundation of the former building watertight, to repair the roof, the mansards and the overhangs, replace the windows, the eaves troughs and the downspouts as well as the front outdoor staircase, redo the concrete walkway and improve the out-door lighting. The work started late April and will end, approximately, in November 2014. These renovations will cause some inconveniences: noise, dust, the presence of heavy machinery and containers as well as workers comings and goings. While the work is under way, access to the building via the front outdoor stairway will also be temporarily suspended. We are aware of the inconveniences caused by these renovations and we will make sure that they are completed as quickly as possible. We hope we will be improving the quality of your living environment for a long time to come and we thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation.
WITH YOUR HELP IT S ONLY NATURAL! On March 11, 2013, the Office municipal d habitation de Montréal held an information meeting at Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II. The 15 tenants who attended had the chance to hear Liaison Officer Marc Sédillot and Projects Director Guy Couillard explain the upcoming renovations. This meeting provided the tenants in the more recent section of the building with an opportunity to talk about the wear-and-tear of their windows. Following an evaluation, the replacement of these windows was added to the project. The OMHM took the opportunity to consult the tenants about the opening of the windows. They chose to replace the existing model with a pivoting vertical sliding window system, so that the windows can be tilted toward the indoors to clean them. The solid structure and easy maintenance of these windows convinced the tenants to opt for this model. The replacement of the outside staircase was also discussed. A number of tenants who use that doorway asked that a locked door knob be added to the door so that they could enter and exit from there. And lastly, the tenants expressed the desire to have an outdoor electrical socket installed on their balcony so that they could plug in their decorations. This was therefore added to the project as well. On March 31, 2014, a second information meeting was held to announce the start-up of the worksite. The 12 tenants in attendance had the chance to hear Marc Sédillot and Guy Couillard explain the renovation sequence to them. Clarification of certain aspects was therefore provided: Access to a few parking spaces on the side of the church might be restricted in order to facilitate access to the machinery. The tenants affected will be contacted personally. Access to the building via the front outdoor staircase will have to be closed and will be inaccessible for a few months. It won t be necessary to empty the lockers in the basement, unless you are notified otherwise. While the windows are being replaced, the tenants who have an air conditioner will need to remove it. The OMHM agrees to pay the costs of eventual reinstallation of the air conditioner. Please note that wood and Plexiglas bases will be provided to avoid damaging the new windows. EXPLANATION OF THE WORK PROJECT RENOVATIONS, REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS WHY RESULTS WHEN The foundations of the old building will be waterproofed. This involves a number of steps: Excavation Repairs to the stone and brick walls Waterproofing (installation of a new membrane) Installation of a downspout for the rainwater Modification of the ground drainage slope These renovations are necessary to prevent water seepage into the basement. Sounder building structure watertightness Between April and June, depending on the weather conditions and the ground thaw 2 I Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II RENOUPDATE May 2014
EXPLANATION OF THE WORK PROJECT RENOVATIONS, REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS WHY RESULTS WHEN The windows of the two buildings will be replaced, including the screens. The windows now need to be replaced. watertightness Easy maintenance Starting in late May The roof, wood overhangs and mansards will be replaced. The roof tiles need to be replaced and the wood overhangs are in need of repair. watertightness The soundness of the structure architectural components will be safeguarded. June - October The eaves troughs and downspouts will be replaced. As they are not watertight, they don t allow the required absorption of the water flow; this causes erosion problems for the brick and stone. preservation of the brickwork and joints June The exterior staircase on the side of rue Sainte-Anne will be replaced. The lighting will be modernized and a wall socket will be added. The little bars on the railing will be replaced with glass panels. The access door to the building at the top of this staircase will be replaced and equipped with a door having an exterior door knob with a lock and key. The slope of the staircase is too steep and the railing doesn t meet standards. The new staircase will require less maintenance and will have two flights of stairs separated by a landing. Increased safety Easy maintenance June The concrete base and the concrete walkway leading to the municipal sidewalk will be demolished and completely rebuilt. These structures now need to be replaced and must be adjusted to the new staircase. appearance Sounder structure June The garden shelter (gazebo) will be permanently relocated near the lilac bush in the garden. It won t be accessible while the renovations are being carried out. Gazebo users find it too near the street. Sometimes it is used by non-residents. More peace and quiet and privacy for residents. May Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II RENOUPDATE May 2014 I 3
PREVENTION AT THE WORKSITE To prevent accidents, make sure you keep far away from the worksite and the contractor s equipment. Don t use the contractor s container, as it is solely for industrial waste. Keep within the safety perimeters marked off by yellow caution tape, orange cones or fencing. CONTRACTOR LDEM Construction inc. is the contractor that will be coordinating the renovations at Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II. The work will be carried out Monday Friday, 7 a.m. 5 p.m. In some exceptional cases, these hours may be extended to keep pace with the overall work schedule. THE TENANT S ROLE WHAT YOU CAN DO You can help ensure that the renovations are carried out smoothly by following the steps below: 1. Once the renovations begin, a general notice will be posted at the entrance to the building. 2. To schedule the work in your apartment, the contractor will contact you by placing a note on the door of your apartment 48 hours in advance. Please keep an eye out for the contractor s notices! 3. When the time comes for the workers to come into your apartment to carry out the renovations there, make sure: - You are at home at the time set by the contractor or make sure that someone you can trust a neighbour or a friend will be there instead. 4. If, for a major or unexpected reason, you can t be at home at the scheduled time, please inform the workers as quickly as possible. You may also phone Marc Sédillot, your Liaison Officer, at 514 868-3077. 4 I Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II RENOUPDATE May 2014
THE TENANT S ROLE WHAT YOU CAN DO (CONT D) WHEN THE CONTRACTOR ASKS YOU TO DO SO, GET YOUR WINDOWS READY FOR THE WORKERS ARRIVAL... REMOVE EVERYTHING LESS THAN ONE METRE (3 FEET) FROM THE WINDOWS. DON T FORGET TO REMOVE THE AIR CONDITIONERS FROM THE WINDOWS BEFORE THE START OF THE RENOVATIONS IN YOUR APARTMENT. WINDOW CLEARED, READY FOR THE RENOVATIONS Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II RENOUPDATE May 2014 I 5
THE OMHM TEAM AT HABITATIONS RÉSIDENCE DU VIEUX COUVENT I AND II THE MAJOR PROJECTS TEAM u Liaison Officer: Marc Sédillot Marc Sédillot u Work Supervisor: Adrian Partenie u Projects Director: Guy Couillard Adrian Partenie Guy Couillard EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO YOUR BUILDING u Maintenance and Repair Worker: Stéphane Daoust u Rental Agent: Christine Manibal u Community Organizer: Manon Cossette Christine Manibal Manon Cossette The major renovations in your building are being financed by the Société d habitation du Québec, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. The OMHM at your service! MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND EXTERMINATION 7 A.M. TO 11 P.M. EMERGENCY REPAIRS AVAILABLE 24/7 RENOUPDATE is published by the Communications Department and the Social Development Promotion Team of the Office municipal d habitation de Montréal. 415, rue Saint-Antoine Ouest, Montréal (Québec) H2Z 1H8 Telephone: 514 872-6442 RENOUPDATE informs you about the major renovation projects planned for your building. RENOUPDATE notifies you about the consultation projects designed to sound out your opinion. RENOUPDATE is published because everyone the OMHM staff, tenants and the contractors workers must get involved in order to improve the quality of life in the buildings. Written and coordinated by Charles Allain and Marie-Eve Leblanc Graphic design by Optik Design inc. 6 I Habitations Résidence du Vieux Couvent I and II RENOUPDATE May 2014