This is an updated version of an earlier report.
A solution has been reached between the city Health Department and the cleaning subcontractor scouring the grimy exterior of the downtown Hartford skyscraper, 777 Main St., which is being converted to high-rise apartments.
The department on Oct. 20 ordered Armani Restoration of Hartford and its nine-person crew to halt the power scrubbing underway for weeks of the concrete outer skin of 24 of the tower’s 27 floors, said Armani President Lou Iacobucci.
Work was temporarily stopped, he said, following a number of nuisance complaints from pedestrians, motorists and neighboring landlords about the milky, sandy residue falling into eyes and onto hair, clothing, vehicles, windows, awnings and rooftop air-handlers from the non-toxic, water-based slurry Armani uses to scrub the building.
Armani previously had a series of safety protocols in place, including not scrubbing the tower that formerly was home to Bank of America on days when wind gusts exceed 20 miles per hour, Iacobucci said.
“We want to get the job safely done and we’re not out to hurt anybody or get hurt ourselves,” he said.
Following an Oct. 23 meeting between building owner Bruce Becker, city health inspectors, Iacobucci and representatives from general contractor Viking Construction and the state’s workplace safety arm, ConnOSHA, the city lifted its cease-and-desist’ order, Iacobucci said. Work resumed the next day.
Among other things, Armani agreed to extend its protective scaffolding above the sidewalk fronting the Pearl Street side of the building farther along the street, Iacobucci said. In addition, more of the work will be done after work hours; there will also be a reduction in the amount of powdered media mixed with the water. Extra spotters also will be stationed to guide pedestrians around the work site. Iacobucci said the cleaning is expected to wrap up in December.
When the renovations are complete, 777 Main will be the first multi-unit residential high rise in Hartford to be powered by a fuel cell. – GREGORY SEAY
