Graciano Wins Assignments At New York Public Library And Rockefeller Center

11/15/2004, New York, NY

Graciano Corporation, one of the country’s leading architectural restoration organizations, was recently awarded two high-profile projects in Manhattan. The company will be assisting the New York Public Library in assessing the condition of their structure in preparation for restoration initiatives connected with the building’s 100-year anniversary in 2011. Graciano will also be responsible for a large-scale cleaning program at Rockefeller Center that commences immediately.

New York Public Library

Graciano was selected to assist in the inspection of the New York Public Library assignment by Walter B. Melvin and Associates, an architectural firm that has worked closely with Graciano on a number of high-profile assignments, including The Cloisters, the home of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s medieval art and architecture collection. Working with Walter B. Melvin, Graciano will be providing technical assistance and assessment expertise to support the extensive façade investigations. Graciano will also be executing emergency repairs on the structure on an as-needed basis.

“This is a beautiful building that’s completely constructed of Danby Marble, from Vermont,” remarked Dino Rossi, Graciano’s Vice President of New York Operations. It’s a load-bearing building, with walls that are up to three feet thick in some places and elevations up to 120 feet. It is a challenge to work on a structure like this, but we’re excited to be challenged.”

To access the building without disrupting patron access, Graciano has developed a network of rigging comprised of man baskets on truck cranes. With assistance from Graciano, the cranes allow representatives from the architectural firm to access high areas of the façade and carefully examine balustrades, cornices and other architectural elements. Graciano is currently building ramps at the front of the building to provide better access to a number of difficult-to-inspect areas of the structure. Once the ramps are in place, high-reach equipment will be temporarily installed on the structure’s plaza level to allow both architects and Graciano to conduct up-close evaluations on the building’s stone surfaces.

“We have been extremely successful in providing the architectural firm with the access they needed to gather vital information for the building,” commented Rossi. The data gathered from these efforts will form the basis for the upcoming renovation program. In addition, the architect has pinpointed trouble spots, and we have been able to execute emergency repairs where necessary to stabilize the building. These efforts will help to protect both pedestrians and surrounding public property until the restoration can start. We look forward to working on this building in the near future and hope to be included in the restoration activities.”

Rockefeller Center

At Rockefeller Center, one of New York’s largest and most recognizable landmarks, Graciano was awarded the contract to clean the 11 buildings that comprise the complex. All cleaning work must be completed unobtrusively, and must not disrupt the daily commerce that is conducted in the buildings. The buildings at 610, 620 and 630 Fifth Avenue will be cleaned by November 15, 2004. The remaining buildings will be cleaned in the spring of 2005. Graciano had previously cleaned more than 2,500,000 square feet of the complex’s facades in 1996 and 1997.

“Between November 1st and November 15th, we will be cleaning more than 200,000 square feet of surface area on these three buildings,” said Rossi. “Due to a water moratorium imposed by the City of New York that begins on the 15th, it is essential that all work on the first three buildings be completed quickly, thoroughly and effectively.”

Graciano has conducted all cleaning operations at night, using four truck cranes equipped with man baskets. This access approach was selected over traditional scaffolding due to the compressed project deadlines. Work on the larger buildings in the complex will begin in late March or early April of 2005, weather permitting.

“We are pleased to be working on both of these high-profile projects, and are honored to have earned the trust of architectural firms and building owners,” remarked Glenn Foglio, President of Graciano Corporation. “Our expertise in cleaning and restoration – particularly on the Rockefeller Center assignment – will help us address the tight timeframes, as well as any special challenges we may encounter on the job.”

With headquarters in Pittsburgh and offices in New York and New Jersey, Graciano Corporation, is recognized nationwide for its expertise in historic restoration and preservation. Other company projects have included restoration assignments on MetLife Tower, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Queensboro Bridge and Shea Stadium. The company has been showcased with awards from New York institutions, and has been recognized by the International Masonry Institute, the International Union of Bricklayers and the Allied Craftworkers. To learn more about Graciano, visit www.graciano.com.

Contact: Glenn Foglio, President, Graciano Corporation 412-963-8400.