SHPO tries to stop Depot roof work (NM Bureaucracy)

Narrow Gauge Dead Goat Saloon ^ | November 6, 2009 | Jay Wimer

[CedarDave]

According to source in Chama the State Historical Preservation office (SHPO) sent a fax to the contractor demanding that he 'cease and desist' from any further work because they are not using 'historic' nails. I think SHPO got told where they could stuff it. They approved the project a long time ago, and I doubt they'll be allowed to imperil a historic property by stopping the re-roofing just before the winter. What may have caused this little problem was the pictures on The Goat, and references to use of a nail gun. Some clueless jerk who just wants to stop progress, had to have called SHPO about it. What you all may have overlooked, and SHPO fails to understand is that the contractor is using a steam-powered nail gun that was patented in 1803. Steam is being provided by #487, which is steamed up in the engine house. That's our story and we're sticking to it... JW

[CedarDave]

The Chama depot is a historic structure built after a 1899 fire destroyed the original. In recent years the tar-paper roof (which replaced original wooden shingles) began leaking badly both causing portions of the wood to rot and damage to interior furnishings. The most damaging exposure occurred two winters ago when three feet of snow dumped on the community. The RR received permission from the SHPO to replace the roof with wooden shingles (treated for fire resistance) and work has been ongoing the past two weeks to complete the job before the weather turns bad. I believe that like most state bureaucrats, this one in the SHPO office has too much time on his hands.

The pictures posted below tell the story.

[CedarDave]

[incredulous joe]

They ought to request that the SHPO travel back in time to get the authentic nails.

It would seem to be the most practical and common sense approach.

[CedarDave]

Good afternoon!

[CedarDave]

This job has been a long time coming, mostly due to bureaucratic delays in Santa Fe.

Link to more pictures:

http://www.goatbbs.com/cgi-bin/bbs50/webbbs_configb.cgi/noframes/read/65011#65011

[Eagle Eye]

Someone had to approve this job before it started.

Having worked a couple historic restorations in the past, I can’t believe that someone really insists that the nails be authentic.

Or maybe they really don’t want the job done at all?

[CedarDave]

In case anyone is wondering where in the world is Chama and why the emphasis on saving an old depot, go here:

http://www.gsrj.com/ctsrr.html

And watch the video.

[PhilDragoo]

Had heard contractors remark re Santa Fe Palace of the Governors rehab twenty years ago "strangest job ever".

They were tasked to "use as much original material as possible".

Some very crappy-looking Dutchman work on exposed beams--perhaps the faux fairies came back and faked it out.

Suggest making all the historical fascists live in totally adobe structures. R equals point two per inch.