Metro

Hechtman Update

Reconstruction after fire begins,
apartment improvements included.

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A22

December 4 • 2008

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Workers remove the cupola from the top of Hechtman II, with work on the
new roof In progress.

T

he long task of clearing
the debris from inside the
Hechtman II building in West
Bloomfield, which was damaged by
fire in April, has been completed and
the true rebuilding has begun.
The construction workers are work-
ing on the roof and the new "user-
friendly" windows should be installed
by the beginning of March. After that
is complete, the major reconstruction
of the interior will begin. This consists
of the individual apartments as well
as the common areas.
By the end of this year, Jewish
Apartments & Services will be ready
to post the architectural rendering of
the building on its Web site.
JAS met with many Hechtman II
residents to get their suggestions
and ideas to incorporate into the
new building plans, specifically some
design features that might make their
lives easier. Many were adopted into
the new plans. When the building is
complete, it will have the same num-
ber of apartments it had before the
fire. They will all be the same size, but
new and with improvements. Only the
common areas and office areas will
change.
JAS President Larry Tisdale, who
has led the rebuilding effort, said:
"There has been a great deal of time
spent meeting with city officials get-

ting plans approved while working
with the architect and builders. All
those involved have done a great job
keeping things in motion and moving
things along in a timely manner, but
moving ahead safely has been and will
always be our priority"
Monthly reunions for the Hechtman
II residents continue. JAS provides
transportation and food for these
monthly gatherings, which are enjoyed
by all the residents now living in other
senior housing facilities elsewhere
throughout the community.
"Rebuilding a three-story struc-
ture with a footprint of this size is a
tremendous undertaking;' said JAS
Marketing Director Pete Wurdock.
"We're all anxious to see the project
completed and realize it's difficult for
our Hechtman II residents and their
families. It's difficult for us, too.
"Any rumors people may hear about
a completion date for the building are
pure speculation. We just don't know
how long it will take to complete right
now as there are many variables that
can affect even the best-laid plans.
That's why, now that the real construc-
tion is under way, we're committed to
disseminating the information as it
becomes available."
Tisdale is especially grateful to

Building on page A24