Construction Update: First Baptist Church

Nicole Holland Pearce brings us this week’s update.

Craig Wood and Joe Dodson, members of a fire protection service, repaire a valve today in the Mary C. and Truett buildings' fire system.

Just as many Dallasites were homebound last week due to the Arctic-like temperatures that blew through North Texas, local construction crews also felt the sharp sting of Old Man Winter.

Over on Saint Paul at First Baptist Church of Dallas, progress slowed to a crawl as the frigid temperatures and resulting precipitation made work difficult. The crew still works to clear the debris from the basement of the old Cotton Exchange Building. “Excavation could have been finished last week, but you can’t put down dirt with ice and snow,” said Anthony Lohden of the Dallas Demolition Company.

Sometimes, weather isn’t the only thing that stands in the way. Hand-dismantling of the Mary C. and Truett buildings has been put on hold until crews can access the sidewalk. City code only allows one side of a street’s sidewalk to be shut down at a time, and since the eastbound sidewalk is closed for the basement’s excavation, the crew must complete that project before city code allows them to close the westbound walkway.

In the meantime, fire protection services work to repair valves of the Mary C. and Truett building’s fire system, so that the crew may continue to dismantle the structures once they are allowed access through the westbound walkway. —Nicole Holland Pearce

Brits Have a Giggle at Our Expense for Aguilera Goof, Super Bowl Flyover

If you have a few minutes to kill, have a look at how awesome we come across in the Daily Mail.

Leading Off (2/11/11)

It’s Cold Out There, So Turn Some Stuff Off. ERCOT warned yesterday afternoon that the possibility of rolling blackouts still exists, since the temperatures are still so low that people need to run their heaters more. So on your way out the door this morning, turn a few things off, maybe. Why? Because apparently, hospitals aren’t exempt from them, after all.

Relax – It’s Totally Not an Emergency. Because of statewide budget cuts to education funding (thanks to a budget deficit that may be $15 billion, or could be $27 billion), DISD must cut an estimated $250 million from its budget, so nearly 4,000 employees will be dismissed. But, thank goodness, budget deficits are not an emergency – just sonograms before abortions, sanctuary cities and voter ID.

Moncrief Stays True To His Word. Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief announced yesterday that he would not run for a fifth term. Moncrief has long said that he didn’t believe a mayor should serve more than four terms.

Our Long Regional Nightmare Is Over. With the whole Michael Young debacle still going on. it was a big sigh of relief yesterday to find that slugger Josh Hamilton signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Rangers. So even though we didn’t get Cliff Lee and now Michael Young wants to depart, we’ve got that going for  us.

Why, Hello Friday. It’s supposed to be warmer this weekend. Two weeks of bundling up and cabin fever are nearly over. Go outside. Hit the grill. Find a patio. That’s my plan, anyway. Yours?