Mothballing a big building

[Trollhole]

So my family now has this giant building in the middle of a town that is basically dead. The plan is to mothball it until it can be sold.

It's 4 stories. 60,000 sq/ft. It's got 2 elevators, 2 chillers, a big ass boiler, and a giant generator. It was a former bank headquarters so everything was overbuilt including two massive safes.

We want to basically cut off the heat and drain the water. But something tells me it's going to be more complicated than that. I have a class 1,2,and 3 HVAC license but honestly have never worked on a chiller ever. Anyone have any recommendations on mothballing a building?

 

[calstyl2]

Security? got any way to keep scrapers out? number one way to kill a building is scrapers pulling out all the infrastructure, next is a bad roof/water problems.

 

[wob]

Carolina First Building?

 

[Trollhole]

Security? got any way to keep scrapers out? number one way to kill a building is scrapers pulling out all the infrastructure, next is a bad roof/water problems.

Roof was replaced about 5 years ago. So I'm hoping that will be okay. We will have a guy going by frequently and checking on the building. I was thinking of buying some humidity meters and putting them on the floors to tell if I have a humidity problem.

We have an ADT system being installed in the building as we speak. So break ins shouldn't be an issue

Carolina First Building?

BB and T building in Lumberton, NC.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

the elevators might be a problem. you might want to check with the state elevator inspector to keep them up to date on inspection paperwork.. if there is one in NC.

 

[calstyl2]

ADT can suck my ****'s.............onsite regular checks, secure all access points including the roof and ventilation system, check with local code enforcement/building dept for rules about board up/securing building.
We had a closed Kmart in my old work area that was picked clean by scrapers, the alarms system was cut at the phone line, the fire sprinkler was cut at the street(brass valve stolen) then they backed a truck into a loading dock and cleaned out the entire building of HVAC, Wire, fixtures, fire supression systems, and anything metal. They left it for the homeless that started numerious fires to stay warm and made us search for them throughout the entire building.......................
Worse case.......

 

[Trollhole]

ADT can suck my ****'s.............onsite regular checks, secure all access points including the roof and ventilation system, check with local code enforcement/building dept for rules about board up/securing building.
We had a closed Kmart in my old work area that was picked clean by scrapers, the alarms system was cut at the phone line, the fire sprinkler was cut at the street(brass valve stolen) then they backed a truck into a loading dock and cleaned out the entire building of HVAC, Wire, fixtures, fire supression systems, and anything metal. They left it for the homeless that started numerious fires to stay warm and made us search for them throughout the entire building.......................
Worse case.......

Good ideas. I'm heading that way tomorrow to check it out. I'm hoping that since it was a bank that it will already have a lot of security features in place. It's only got two doors and they are made out of 1" thick glass and solid stainless steel. The rest of the windows are 3/4" thick.

Looking forward to doing some snooping around. It has two large vaults one is over 500 sq/ft. Lots of granite and marble. It was build back in the 60's.

 

[wob]

That sucks. Any hope of maybe breaking it up and subleasing it?

 

[Capt. Jim]

Troll,

There are small temp/humiditity monitors. Sampling can be set for a wide range of time intervals. They are called HoBo. We use them for monitoring temp/humidity. Once collected, the data must be uploaded to a computer. These things are half the size of a pack of cigarettes and are battery operated. Humidity and water activity are your main enemies. And the scrappers will get in no matter what.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Good ideas. I'm heading that way tomorrow to check it out. I'm hoping that since it was a bank that it will already have a lot of security features in place. It's only got two doors and they are made out of 1" thick glass and solid stainless steel. The rest of the windows are 3/4" thick.

Looking forward to doing some snooping around. It has two large vaults one is over 500 sq/ft. Lots of granite and marble. It was build back in the 60's.

maybe you could turn it into a bank robber training center...

 

[Capt. Jim]

maybe you could turn it into a bank robber training center...

4-story live ammo shoot house.....

 

[lcruzrlvr]

Any chance you can find a tenant to stay in it for upkeep and a small share of the utilities? We have a facility in a similar condition but have a tenant paying no rent. IMHO, a better situation than an empty building.

 

[se2000]

Our news just showed the guy that was suppose to secure a building arrested for setting it ablaze while he was stealing the copper. Cameras and an internet connection to a dvr in your home or office will give you an idea of what is going on there. Set it up with motion activation and you'll maybe have evidence.
That and good insurance

 

[Trollhole]

Holy hell. Got our first walk through today. It's not in great shape. Bank donated all the funiture to the county. County used prisoners to move the stuff. It currently looks like a hell hole. They have till friday to move it all out and have the building clean. It's going to take them a month to get it done.

 

[Capt. Jim]

Torch it.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

how about lease it out for paint-ball urban warfare parties.

 

[D'Animal]

Rent it out for a Movie Set.

 

[Capt. Jim]

Implode it.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Implode it.

I sort of agree. I've noticed a bunch of buildings being razed lately. This might be the easiest on the pocketbook in the long run and a vacant downtown lot should be easy to sell.

 

[Capt. Jim]

Like D'Animal said, hollywood may pay for it. Just be sure they let you be the one who pushes the button.