Ceilings collapse in visitor center bathrooms

PETER GUINTA
peter.guinta@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 10/08/09


An unexpected — and unfortunate — configuration of the Visitor and Information Center’s ventilation system has led to moisture buildup in the attic, causing bathroom ceilings to collapse and spurring the growth of black mold.

The city closed both VIC rest rooms Wednesday and said repairs could take three to four months.

John Regan, chief operating officer, said the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is “incompatible” with the space where it operates.

“We want to preserve indoor air quality, so we’re isolating the bathrooms from the rest of the VIC as a precaution,” Regan said. “We don’t know what the cost will be, and we don’t know all the causes. We have not come to any conclusions.”

Nine portable toilets now stand adjacent to the VIC. They’ll soon be replaced by “high-quality portable rest rooms” for the coming busy tourist system, he said.

Regan said hot air had been hitting cold duct work, creating moisture, which in turn dissolved dry wall and encouraged the mold.

Parts of the men’s room ceiling remains on the floor, the spots of black mold visible.

VIC director Sharon Langford said the moisture problem affects only the bathrooms.

“The rest of the VIC is open,” Langford said. “We welcome visitors and answer their questions about where to go, sell train and trolley tickets and operate the gift shop. We’re still open and fully functioning.”

The VIC was built in 1935 as the city’s Civic Center. It was extensively renovated, adding the bathrooms and a lobby, when the Downtown Parking Facility was built in 2005 and 2006.

Regan said his immediate goals are two:

* Eliminating the mold by disinfecting the attic and replacing the ruined dry wall.

* Review the design and create a system that is appropriate for the building.

The redesign will be done by an “individual design team, he said.

“We are investigating all the issues,” he said. “We’ll give the City Commission a briefing Monday night during City Manager comments.”


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/100809/news_100809_016.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record