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1555 Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA 93721 | 559.441.1444 T 559.441.8607 F |
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Renovation Station
For the first time in its history, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum is undergoing an interior upgrade of its historic 1922 building. The renovation project will open the currently unused fourth and fifth floors and bring the building up to 21st century fire and safety standards. This project will provide the people of the Central Valley with a museum that they can continue to be proud of; one that is equipped to offer expanded educational programming and easy to navigate galleries that are open and accessible to all people. Here at the Met's Renovation Station, the Met presents updates about the project's status along with views from inside the building, allowing a rare glimpse at the project during its many stages! LATEST NEWS AND PROJECT UPDATES Construction Captures
 Construction on the site progresses. Trenches are being dug to pull electrical lines out to the enclosed staff parking lot and garden.
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July 24, 2008
 Crews start laying out the enclosed staff parking lot and surrounding area. The sidewalk adjacent to the lot is being improved from its previous condition.
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July 23, 2008
 With a steady hand, the painter paints the trim for the Founders Room on the Museum’s fifth floor.
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July 23, 2008
 William B. Saleh Company is onsite as the painting sub-contractor. A crew member sands the door in preparation to apply paint.
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July 22, 2008
 The freight elevator cab is being installed within the backpack addition. When complete the freight elevator will serve four levels.
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July 21, 2008
 The scaffolding will allow access to the entire south exterior wall so that it can be framed, waterproofed, plastered, and painted.
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July 11, 2008
 With solid dirt ground below, the crews installed scaffolding on the south side of the Bee Building.
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July 10, 2008
 Dave Christian Construction crews are onsite to fill in the holes with dirt. The holes are left from the removal of the 1936 and 1951 additions.
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July 2, 2008
 A crew member is strapped in with a safety harness as he works on the fifth floor of the building.
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June 19, 2008
 The mechanical team is positioned under the platform supporting the mechanical units on the roof. They are installing the ducting being lifted up from the ground using a crane.
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June 18, 2008
 The sheetrock is installed throughout the entire 5th floor. The Museum’s administrative offices, non-circulating art and science library, and Founders Room will be located on this floor.
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June 18, 2008
 Preliminary work has begun to strengthen the floor load of the fourth floor’s Education Center.
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June 17, 2008
 The crane lifts up ducting pieces to the roof where the mechanical team is ready to assemble them into place, connecting the mechanical units to the building.
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June 16, 2008
 Concrete is being poured for the new exterior plaza. Visitors to the building will walk over this 37’ x 55’ plaza to get to the Museum’s new front entrance.
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June 12, 2008
 John Brewer with the Met begins painting the exterior backs of the Fulton buildings. The gray paint is being used on the Bee Building and will provide a uniform look.
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May 15, 2008
 The concrete truck is onsite to pour footings for the pump room located in the basement.
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May 6, 2008
 The concrete truck is onsite to pour footings for the pump room located in the basement.
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May 6, 2008
 The 1936 and 1951 additions are completely removed above ground.
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April 14, 2008
 The claw-like attachment at the end of the excavator’s arm precisely removes the remaining concrete along the south wall.
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April 14, 2008
 They are chipping away at the exterior wall just left of the historic 1922 building to ensure the restored façade is not damaged when the adjacent 1936 addition is removed this afternoon.
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April 10, 2008
 Kroeker workers are on a Genie lift with jackhammers.
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April 10, 2008
 The operator sits in the orange excavator’s cab and strategizes the demolition with the crew members.
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April 9, 2008
 The south wall of the 1936 addition closest to Van Ness is being removed from the 5th floor down.
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April 9, 2008
 With the fourth floor level down, the excavator can reach the remaining building using the clamshell bucket to bring the lower levels down.
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April 8, 2008
 Two excavators pull on cables attached to the steel beams of the addition being demolished. This second attempt is successful and the fourth floor level comes down.
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April 8, 2008
 After the exterior wall of a section is removed, the excavator removes the floors and then the steel structure.
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April 8, 2008
 On day #5 of demolition, crews continue removing the 1936 and 1951 additions to the original 1922 building.
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April 8, 2008
 The excavator separates the demolished materials into various piles.
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April 4, 2008
 Day #2 of exterior demolition continues. A crew of about twelve are onsite to operate the demolition equipment, load the trucks to haul away the debris, and supervise the activity.
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April 4, 2008
 Three hours into demolition, the progress is apparent from the south side of the building.
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April 3, 2008
 Demolition workers spray water on the building during demolition to minimize the dust and particulate matter in the air.
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April 3, 2008
 This final phase of demolition will restore the building to its original 1922 structure.
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April 3, 2008
 Two excavators begin demolition of the 1936 and 1951 additions to the original 1922 building.
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April 3, 2008
 The equipment operator uses a jack hammer excavator to break apart the concrete to access the basement of the Press Room.
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March 20, 2008
 Kroeker, Inc. begins the final phase of demolition which includes removal of the 1936 and 1951 additions to the Bee Building.
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March 20, 2008
 The freight elevator shaft is complete. Next, the elevator cab will be installed in the shaft.
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February 20, 2008
 Howe Electric works in the main electrical room of the building.
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February 10, 2008
 Chief Preparator & Art Handler Mike Weatherson uses his skills to prepare for the reopening of the Museum Store. In the temporary workshop area, he constructs tables for the display of merchandise.
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February 6, 2008
 Harris Construction crews pour the concrete footings to strengthen the foundation of the building. This is part of the seismic upgrade package.
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January 29, 2008
 Harris Construction’s onsite office is situated adjacent to the renovation project. They coordinate their daily efforts and subcontractors from this trailer.
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January 22, 2008
 The “backpack” is now fully enclosed. Crews continue working on electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems on the interior of the approximately 8,000 square foot “backpack” addition.
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January 15, 2008
 A demolition worker “roughs up” the second floor wall and ceiling in preparation to receive shotcrete to seismically strengthen the wall.
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January 8, 2008
 The Museum is occupying every square inch of the building, including the rooftop. The two air handlers which were lifted up to the roof by cranes now sit on steel structures on the roof.
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December 27, 2007
 In response to the voluntary seismic upgrade, certain areas of the building are being strengthened.
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December 20, 2007
 Construction crews remove the scaffolding around the exterior of the “backpack” addition. The three layers of plaster were applied and will receive a coat of paint later during construction.
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December 15, 2007
 Broege Construction workers combine water, sand, and concrete to form a plaster mix. This mixture is sprayed onto the lathe (wire mesh) and black tar paper as the first of three plaster layers.
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November 20, 2007
 Workers from Broege Construction mount a layer of black tar paper over the paperless yellow exterior sheathing to provide an additional waterproof barrier.
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October 26, 2007
 The crane lifts an approximately 20,000 pound air handler from the bed of a semi truck onto the Bee Building roof.
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October 29, 2007
 Workers from Olson & Co. Steel erect the steel structure that will support the mechanical units on the Bee Building’s roof.
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October 22, 2007
 Metropolitan Club Volunteers "build" construction-themed table centerpieces in preparation for the Met's lecture by Scott McNealy on October 23, 2007.
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October 19, 2007
 Fixtures and accessories arrive for the new track lighting in the galleries.
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August 13, 2007
 Though the jobsite appears quiet for the moment, project team members are working behind the scenes to design necessary seismic upgrades, revise the construction work plan for the final stretch of the
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August 6, 2007
 New banners grace the Bee Building's north wall, promoting support for the Met's Capital Campaign.
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July 18, 2007
 Sheet board is completely installed from first to fifth floors of the “backpack’s” exterior. The final color of the backpack will be grey and not yellow.
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May 31, 2007
 Build from the bottom up and demo from the top down. The demolition crew breaks apart and removes the concrete slab and foundations of the administrative office building. The entire southern half of the Van Ness Ave.
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May 25, 2007
 The last wall of the former administrative office building stands alone. By the end of the third day of demolition, the building is down and cleared off the site.
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May 24, 2007
 Approximately 95% of the demolished building materials, including brick, concrete, wood, and metal, will be recycled by the subcontractor for other uses. The excavator operator separates materials as he demolishes each portion.
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May 22, 2007
 The excavator begins demolishing the Museum’s previous administrative office building by removing the first portion of brick. A secured employee parking lot and expanded landscape area will be inst
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May 22, 2007
 A construction worker installs mechanical conduit on the gallery floor. Eventually, the exposed conduit will be covered and framed by walls where artwork and other objects will be placed on view.
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May 3, 2007
.thumbnail.JPG "April 27, 2007") The sheet board provides solid backing for the layers of waterproofing material, lath and plaster, and final exterior paint.
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April 27, 2007
.thumbnail.JPG "April 27, 2007") Sheet board is applied to the exterior framing of the “backpack” addition from the ground level to the fifth floor.
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April 27, 2007
 The pavers are removed from the Johanson Family Courtyard in preparation for the demolition of the adjacent administrative office building. The pavers are being put on pallets and will be stored until they are ready to be reincorporated into the redesigned landscape plan.
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April 19, 2007
 Metal studs are secured to the steel frame structure forming the exterior walls of the “backpack”. The longest metal studs reach from ground level to the roof at over 60 feet in length and were p
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March 27, 2007
 The exterior walls of the “backpack” are taking shape and will eventually be coated with a plaster finish. The new walls will be painted using the color palette of the original 1922 exterior faç
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March 20, 2007
 The multi-purpose space on the fourth floor provides a large, open area for lectures, conferences, and other programming and events. The space will be equipped with a sound system to ensure audiences
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March 13, 2007
 Crews fireproof the new steel “backpack” structure. Starting from the basement and working their way to the fifth floor, they spray a gypsum based material on the steel that will make it more resistant to fire.
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March 6, 2007
 Metal studs are in place on the fifth floor, administrative office space, creating enclosed offices, hallways, and the Founders Room and Arts Library. In the open area designed for cubicles, stacks of drywall sit ready to be hung on the metal studs.
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March 2, 2007
 Construction of the “backpack” addition progresses. The loosely hung plastic tarps keep fireproofing materials contained while crews spray the plaster substance onto the steel beams from within.
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February 28, 2007
 A construction worker saws through metal studs. These studs will provide a stable frame to which interior wall coverings (drywall) will be attached to form interior walls.
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February 14, 2007
 Fresno Roofing workers tar and insulate the roof of the Fresno Bee Building. The tar is melted in a kettle on the street level and travels through a pipe up to the roof where it is mopped onto the surface.
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January 30, 2007
 The trash and recycling receptacle enclosure is partially formed. The enclosure is located in back of the Bee Building where the maintenance staff can easily access.
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January 23, 2007
 The first floor of the “backpack” will soon receive exterior and interior walls which will better define the restrooms, elevators, stairwell, and hallway planned for this area.
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January 1, 2007
.thumbnail.JPG "November 25, 2006") Visitors to the Met's Celebration on the Boulevard event were treated to guided tours of the renovation site. Those on the tour were taken through the grand staircase entrance to the building to view
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November 25, 2006
 After the steel structure of the backpack was erected, construction crews laid metal foundation deck for each new floor. Crews now begin to pour the concrete on the deck of each floor.
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November 8, 2006
 The steel structure is nearing completion and crews prepare to pour concrete slabs at each level to form the floors. Three weeks have passed since the ironworkers erected and bolted in the first piece of steel for the ‘backpack’.
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October 13, 2006
 In preparation for the new roof and mechanical systems, Kroeker, Inc. workers perform demolition work on the Museum’s old roof and worn-out heating and air conditioning units. Work is done by hand to remove the debris and it is placed into a bin to be hauled away.
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October 3, 2006
 Olson Steel Co. completes their first day of erecting the steel structure for the ‘backpack’. Multiple cranes are used to move and position each piece, some of which were assembled flat on the ground.
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September 22, 2006
 The crew began pouring the concrete for foundations and footings for the ‘backpack’ at 5 a.m. It will take three hours and 13 trucks or 123 cubic yards of concrete to complete the job. The crew works quickly, before the concrete begins to set.
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Spetember 11, 2006
 Kroeker, Inc. continues their demolition work on the back concrete wall of the Bee Building. The hydraulic breaker at the front of the Bobcat began chipping away the concrete from the top of the section working down towards the bottom.
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September 8, 2006
 To secure rebar into existing concrete, construction workers drilled holes for proper placement and are filling the holes with epoxy which will adhere the rebar when inserted.
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September 1, 2006
 A demolition crew member uses a wet saw to cut into the concrete wall along the back of the Bee Building. Once his cuts are complete, his team members will follow with a hydraulic breaker attached to
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August 25, 2006
 Plywood forms were built and filled with concrete to create the footings along the bottom of the existing beams. The concrete is now curing and provides the foundation for a retaining wall that will
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August 18, 2006
 An employee from Harris Construction Co. operates the Bobcat to remove asphalt and concrete from an area behind the Museum building.
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August 9, 2006
 Construction crews pumped 20 cubic yards of concrete (equivalent to approximately 1,600 square feet of 3 1/2" sidewalk) to form additional footings on the west wall of the existing Bee Building where the new “backpack” structure will be attached.
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August 3, 2006
 The fifth floor was not previously accessible to the public and served as storage area. It is now being constructed to house administrative office space and the Founders Room and Arts Library where t
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June 20, 2006
 The grand staircase between floors two and three will get a new finish in the renovation process. On special museum occasions, visitors will enter the museum from the outside staircase entrance leadi
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June 12, 2006
 After breaking ground along the west wall of the historic Fresno Bee Building, the demolition team removes unnecessary concrete slabs and gains access into the Press Room where the Fresno Bee's presse
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May 9, 2006
 Breaking Ground. Demolition crews literally break ground at the back of the historic Fresno Bee building. Here work crews remove concrete and soil in an effort to gain access to the existing basement
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March 14, 2006
 Fresno Metropolitan Museum employees tour the interior of the Bee Building to see the progress that has taken place since they moved out of the building six months ago. Even our veteran employees do n
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January 18, 2006
 Workers have begun to build the framework of what will ultimately be a new elevator system for the Met. The holes cut in previous weeks are now being framed for the early stages of construction.
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January 10, 2006
 The Science of Renovation! This is a look inside what was the Reeves ASK Science Center. The renovation of the interior of the Bee Building has begun. All flooring, drywall, fixtures and pipe are being removed.
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December 29, 2005
 A portion of wall cut from the west face of the Bee Building. The opening left by this missing slab will serve as a doorway from the building's new elevator system.
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December 23, 2005
 Workers penetrate the west wall of the Bee Building. These holes they're cutting are the first step in constructing the building's new "backpack," which will house a new elevator system, restrooms an
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December 19, 2005
 Demolition crews mobilize onsite and begin to demolish the interior of the Bee Building. Walls, fixtures, piping and other finishes not being used are removed and hauled offsite to be recycled.
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December 13, 2005
 The sandblasting on the west exterior wall is complete, revealing the gray concrete. The crew disassembles the scaffolding from the top down and completes the task in half a day. Eventually, the "ba
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December 5, 2005
 The renovation team prepares their work area on the west exterior side of the building by putting up scaffolding that will be shrink-wrapped and enclosed with white plastic "sheets." Crews will then
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November 21, 2005
 Wall of Illusion Disappears. PARC Environmental mobilized on September 19, 2005, bringing their equipment and secured dumpsters onsite to begin hazardous material abatement. During the seco
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October 25, 2005
 Household cleaning materials leave sparkling results. In full containment, the PARC Environmental abatement team uses Simple Green and wire brushes to clean the black soot from the basement ceiling.
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October 20, 2005
 Even after the Sneak Peek event, most people probably don't realize that the 4th Floor arch windows open up to a small patio area.
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September 28, 2005
 Tentacled alien pods taking over the Museum and bursting through its rear doors? No. These ventilation ducts are part of the abatement process currently underway.
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September 20, 2005
 Another shot of the Museum's 5th Floor in its current state. The 5th Floor will eventually house the Met's administrative offices.
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September 06, 2005
 The 5th Floor of the Bee Building as seen today. Much to be done...
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August 26, 2005
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