This BLOG is for the use of Century Village residents and those interested in Condominium issues of concern to them. Any user may ask a question or provide information that they feel is of value to the BLOG users. No reasonable subject is "Off Limits", No one is banned, and No rational opinion is supressed.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Haverhill Gate, again
Is there any new information on when the Haverhill Gate walls clean up project will begin? As of last week, it looked as bad as ever. Thanks.
Peter - Your turn to call UCO, Pat Blunck or Sal Bummolo. Actually they are about 6 weeks late, when I first gave a date, UCO doubled the time expected, and I doubled their estimate, it was contracted for before Pat was sick. If the contract had a complete-by date that has expired, UCO should hire Robert (Roberts Repairs?). Prompt, efficient, thorough. Just finished an Easthampton bldg, palest gray and olive.
If Robert of Roberts Repairs is the same Robert that worked for Seacrest before going on his own I highly recommend him. His company is the one that painted our building at Chatham O and we are getting compliments after compliments how beautiful he made our buildings look. If it's the same person I heard that he wants to start a management company like Seacrest, Prime, etc. You can't go wrong with Robert.
Well, I will try and call UCO if no one has any more definitive information on the Haverhill gate issue. This has to be one of the WORST aspects of the UCO common area maintenance problems we have at CV. There is NO sensible reason this project has been neglected for at least two years after people started to complain about it. As the first thing people entering the Village see, it detracts from everything. Sorry for the rant on this one.
Dear Anonymous # 1: Yes, the Haverhill Gate is a MESS! It is one of the biggest maintenance issues the current UCO brain trust has ignored. No one likes the DIRTY look.
Suggest that you poll all the residents to find out if they think the Haverhill entrance is as ugly as some think. My guess is that only a handful of residents care one way or the other about the condition.
I care about how it looks. I don't want to be ashamed of how it looks when my guests come to visit. I want them to see the nice community I tell them such good things about.
Mr. A# 1, check the old Q&A on the other site and this blog, and next to the canal banks falling in, the gate issue is right up there with the complaints. On Larry Kall's advice, I did call UCO and spoke with Pat B. about 10 months ago. Pat said UCO had a plan. I offered to volunteer and donate money to help. He said it was not needed.
I believe one of the problems is that it is posted Haverhill Gate and that is what they are posting negative remarks. It is not 100% The Haverhill Gate. It is the ugly brick walls before you get to the gate that is the problem. They are streaked with black marks and there is not shrubbery or flowers and plants to embellish a pretty view before you turn into the Haverhill Gate.
To my knowledge there have been plantings done at the Haverhill entrance. There appears also to be some questions as to where plantings can be done.Some of the issues revolve around the issues of enough irrigation available, who owns what property outside the gate and who must maintain it? Example:What is owned by UCO? What is owned by the golf course? Which is County property? My suggestion would be to ask to attend a infrastructure, irrigation or beautification meeting and find out first hand what the situation really is. Those are the places to get the answers you are looking for.
Been there done that, still an excellent suggestion for anyone who has not been to meetings, there is a whole other reality there. List of meetings page 5 UCO Reporter.
I suggest that some preparation and white paint will fix the ugly wall at a reasonable cost. Perhaps we can get some volunteers!
If the plantings at the main intersection in front and to the left of the clubhouse can be done so beautifully, why can't CV come up with the equivalent. Some one obviously has the talent.
It is also time to get rid of the 1970's stone and cheap plastic edging in the first island as you approach the entrance gates. The second island looks much better with the grass.
The paint, the plants, and the sod will cost but they will be well worth the money.
Who knows perhaps the additonal improvement will improve property values!
There are people who do not like any of the planting near the clubhouse. It appears that no matter what is done some people will not like the outcome no matter what is done or tried.
The first island was changed because some people did not like the appearance. The 1970's look was done in 2007. White paint on red brick ?
Larry: The brick walls were built by the Levy Group in 1971 as the entrance to CV. Surely, they can be pressure cleaned by UCO at least. And where is that cleaning contact supposedly signed by Sal Bummolo??
I hope the first island was not changed just because “some people didn’t like.” If our landscaping is designed by professionals who understand FL style and beauty along with low maintenance and low water use, then fussy out-of-date know nothings should be ignored. I know we have people in CV from the ‘round mound’ school of gardening, where everything is overcut for high cost and unnatural appearance. They seem to be afraid of trees and anything green and must over-control it. Ugh!
I did not know our entrance was a 1970 look, but so what. If we are honestly 1970 then that is what we are. But it must be clean and well maintained. And promptly too.
Power washing is better then nothing. However, white paint has been used to paint the brick of stately brick colonial homes long before we all were born an is still being used in many up scale communities. I believe it would be a big improvement over the red and white checker board wall.
The club house plantings were not the plantings mentioned. The main intersection before you go over the bridge is the site.
Patti is right the appearance at the Haverhill entrance is shameful.
Yes the Haverhill entrance will be cleaned shortly. Exactly what date I do not know but it is on the list of things to be done. Will this information satisfy some people? Probably not. Unfortunately this is not the only project that needs doing.This week alone I attended three meetings and it is amazing how many issues come up that need to be addressed. Many Right Now Issues.
The plan as explained to me is to power wash the red brick and the white painted areas of the entrance. The white areas will then be repainted. Again will this plan satisfy everybody? No but this is what is going to be done.
Peter - Your turn to call UCO, Pat Blunck or Sal Bummolo. Actually they are about 6 weeks late, when I first gave a date, UCO doubled the time expected, and I doubled their estimate, it was contracted for before Pat was sick. If the contract had a complete-by date that has expired, UCO should hire Robert (Roberts Repairs?). Prompt, efficient, thorough. Just finished an Easthampton bldg, palest gray and olive.
ReplyDeleteIf Robert of Roberts Repairs is the same Robert
ReplyDeletethat worked for Seacrest
before going on his own I
highly recommend him. His
company is the one that
painted our building at
Chatham O and we are getting compliments after
compliments how beautiful
he made our buildings look.
If it's the same person I
heard that he wants to
start a management company
like Seacrest, Prime, etc.
You can't go wrong with
Robert.
Well, I will try and call UCO if no one has any more definitive information on the Haverhill gate issue. This has to be one of the WORST aspects of the UCO common area maintenance problems we have at CV. There is NO sensible reason this project has been neglected for at least two years after people started to complain about it. As the first thing people entering the Village see, it detracts from everything. Sorry for the rant on this one.
ReplyDeleteThe Haverhill gate is not the most important item that need fixing. Some of us like the gate the way it is with the weathered look.
ReplyDeleteThe Haverhill Gate is a mess. Weathered it is not!
ReplyDeleteIt gives the appearance of a community which is poverty stricken.
Century Village need not ascend to the category of the Taj Mahal, however it need not appear to be in distress either.
Dear Anonymous # 1: Yes, the Haverhill Gate is a MESS! It is one of the biggest maintenance issues the current UCO brain trust has ignored. No one likes the DIRTY look.
ReplyDeleteSuggest that you poll all the residents to find out if they think the Haverhill entrance is as ugly as some think. My guess is that only a handful of residents care one way or the other about the condition.
ReplyDeleteI care about how it looks. I don't want to be ashamed of how it looks when my guests come to visit. I want them to see the nice community I tell them such good things about.
ReplyDeletep. patti
Well Anonymous # 1, I think we have the poll answers already. Maybe more UCO Board changes are what's needed.
ReplyDeleteWhere was your "official poll" conducted? This blog only has 30 voting members.Hardly represents the entire village.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't all of you volunteer to clean the gate area?
ReplyDeleteMr. A# 1, check the old Q&A on the other site and this blog, and next to the canal banks falling in, the gate issue is right up there with the complaints. On Larry Kall's advice, I did call UCO and spoke with Pat B. about 10 months ago. Pat said UCO had a plan. I offered to volunteer and donate money to help. He said it was not needed.
ReplyDeleteI will talk to Pat Blunck about this matter when I am next in the UCO office.
ReplyDeleteI believe one of the problems is that it is
ReplyDeleteposted Haverhill Gate and
that is what they are
posting negative remarks.
It is not 100% The Haverhill Gate. It is the
ugly brick walls before
you get to the gate that
is the problem. They are
streaked with black marks
and there is not shrubbery
or flowers and plants to
embellish a pretty view
before you turn into the
Haverhill Gate.
Dear nutmegger. That's what I mean when I speak about the Haverhill gate (I do mean the dirty brick walls). And Larry, thanks for your help on this.
ReplyDeleteTo my knowledge there have been plantings done at the Haverhill entrance. There appears also to be some questions as to where plantings can be done.Some of the issues revolve around the issues of enough irrigation available, who owns what property outside the gate and who must maintain it? Example:What is owned by UCO? What is owned by the golf course? Which is County property? My suggestion would be to ask to attend a infrastructure, irrigation or beautification meeting and find out first hand what the situation really is. Those are the places to get the answers you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteBeen there done that, still an excellent suggestion for anyone who has not been to meetings, there is a whole other reality there.
ReplyDeleteList of meetings page 5 UCO Reporter.
I suggest that some preparation and white paint will fix the ugly wall at a reasonable cost. Perhaps we can get some volunteers!
ReplyDeleteIf the plantings at the main intersection in front and to the left of the clubhouse can be done so beautifully, why can't CV come up with the equivalent. Some one obviously has the talent.
It is also time to get rid of the 1970's stone and cheap plastic edging in the first island as you approach the entrance gates. The second island looks much better with the grass.
The paint, the plants, and the sod will cost but they will be well worth the money.
Who knows perhaps the additonal improvement will improve property values!
There are people who do not like any of the planting near the clubhouse.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that no matter what is done some people will not like the outcome no matter what is done or tried.
The first island was changed because some people did not like the appearance. The 1970's look was done in 2007. White paint on red brick ?
Larry: The brick walls were built by the Levy Group in 1971 as the entrance to CV. Surely, they can be pressure cleaned by UCO at least. And where is that cleaning contact supposedly signed by Sal Bummolo??
ReplyDeleteI hope the first island was not changed just because “some people didn’t like.” If our landscaping is designed by professionals who understand FL style and beauty along with low maintenance and low water use, then fussy out-of-date know nothings should be ignored. I know we have people in CV from the ‘round mound’ school of gardening, where everything is overcut for high cost and unnatural appearance. They seem to be afraid of trees and anything green and must over-control it. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteI did not know our entrance was a 1970 look, but so what. If we are honestly 1970 then that is what we are. But it must be clean and well maintained. And promptly too.
ReplyDeletePower washing is better then nothing. However, white paint has been used to paint the brick of stately brick colonial homes long before we all were born an is still being used in many up scale communities. I believe it would be a big improvement over the red and white checker board wall.
ReplyDeleteThe club house plantings were not the plantings mentioned. The main intersection before you go over the bridge is the site.
Patti is right the appearance at the Haverhill entrance is shameful.
Yes the Haverhill entrance will be cleaned shortly. Exactly what date I do not know but it is on the list of things to be done. Will this information satisfy some people? Probably not. Unfortunately this is not the only project that needs doing.This week alone I attended three meetings and it is amazing how many issues come up that need to be addressed. Many Right Now Issues.
ReplyDeleteThe plan as explained to me is to power wash the red brick and the white painted areas of the entrance. The white areas will then be repainted. Again will this plan satisfy everybody? No but this is what is going to be done.
Hi Larry. As the instigator of this post, what you mentioned will satisfy me (at least). Thank you again for your diligence! Peter
ReplyDelete