Construction activity at Madison and Racine has really picked up this month, with West Town Spy Adam sending in some fresh pictures of the activity on the FitzGerald Associates-designed residential building taken just this morning (August 5, 2013).
The initial work on the site (back when you first reported the start of work) included removing a number of old foundations that fronted Madison. They then leveled the existing soil, brought in truckloads of various aggregate, and began what looked like smaller caisson work. Curious bit about the caisson work, was that it was almost all on the western half of the lot and I did not see any caissons dug, poured, etc… on what would be the eastern wall along Racine – I was gone … for the first two weeks of July so I don’t know what happened then. Even more curious is that I don’t see any evidence now of the caissons that were installed.
About two weeks ago, part of the Racine sidewalk just south of the middle entrance ramp on Racine, broke off and fell into the hole. Shortly thereafter they began work – now complete – shoving the vertical metal corrugated perimeter around the site. Next they piled up dirt to the top of the metal along the western edge and now this morning they appear to be digging that dirt back out.
Lastly, the electrical(?) or control boxes and platform, located in the middle of the northern lot line, have been installed and are apparently having some framing work this morning.
Other people have asked what’s going on at the Madison & Racine site lately, so thanks for the update!
- Madison at Racine under construction. Photo courtesy of West Loop Spy Adam.
- Madison at Racine under construction. Photo courtesy of West Loop Spy Adam.
- Madison at Racine under construction. Photo courtesy of West Loop Spy Adam.
- Madison at Racine under construction. Photo courtesy of West Loop Spy Adam.