Radio Central Today Radio Central Soon
This Will Change CHRS Radio Central Forever… And We Want You To Be Part Of It!
OK here is the scoop. We are coming up on 9 years of ownership of 2152 Central Avenue in Alameda. Now known as CHRS Radio Central. In that time we have done a great job as a volunteer organization of restoring and improving many parts of our facility. All work was done up to code and all seismic and ADA standards were followed.
We have been scrimping and saving and now it’s time to face our last hurdles to make Radio Central truly a fully functioning venue for CHRS and the public. The last two related projects are the largest and most expensive we have undertaken. Let’s face it… we are not getting any younger and the price of material and construction keeps going up.
So, get ready for a remodeled and upgraded Great Room and… The restoraion of our 1900 California Mission Revival style facade! Holy Cow! What a big deal. Yes it is and we need your help, please. As with all projects at Radio Central, we have had fund raising campaigns to drive the efforts along. This time we are starting a little late but still need more of the generous donations we have traditionally received from our members and supporters. And more… We are looking at a budget of around $350,000+. Yikes! See why we need you? There are naming possibilities for large donations. Be a part of this one of a kind location and make a generous contribution. Thank you!
What are these projects? Many people have donated but we can use much more. Remember it’s a great project you are helping too fund.
Phase One: Is the Great Room being restored to its original 1900 appearance. New drywall, new efficient windows, (sash sliders and top half rounds), rebuilt wainscoting, replaced moldings & window trims, baseboards, flooring and paint.
Phase Two Is Starting: Includes demolishing the 1950s false flat front of the building. Demolishing the 1950s added entrance doorway structure. Repositioning our ADA entrance door. Restoring all front windows. Rebuilding concrete and brick front stairs. Rebuilding the entrance doorway into the Great Room. Repairing and recreating stucco trim pieces and soffits as needed.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR PROJECT
Please Select Facade Restoration Fund. Many people have donated but we can use much more. Remember it’s a great and lasting project that you are helping to fund.
Here’s How It Happened:
The CHRS Collection Is Under Wraps
That’s Carpenter Steve From BA Morrison, Our Contractor
Preparing The Walls For Sheetrock
Lots Of Drywall… 130 Sheets!
First Piece Up
Progress!
Daredevil Drywaller… Looks Like He’s Been Here Before
Drywall In Place… Waiting For Texture
Creating Matching 1900 Beadboard On Site
Attaching Matching Beadboard Wainscoting
More Arched Moldings Going Up. Some Are 123 Year Old Oak.
Some Are New Styrofoam. Can You Tell Which Is Which?
That’s Martin Painting Over 200 Feet Of Crown Molding
Well Done!
Taping The Drywall
Wall Texture Done & New Arched Moldings Installed
New Arched Window Molding
Bob Urhammer & Dave Billeci Paint Our
Baseboard Molding With Our RCA Gray Accent Color
Ready For Ceiling Painting
Painting Begins
The Flat Black Black Will Make Our Ceiling Dissappear…
And Keeping It Open Gives Us Great Flexibility
Our New Windows Are Here! Yay!
OOPS! No Conferences Now… Please!
Painters Seth, Dave, Kevin & Martin Roll Out Our Wall Paint
12″ Crown Molding Going Up
Uh Oh! Where’s Our Window?
Yuri Prepares & Installs Our First New Window
The Old & The New
!8 New Efficient Widows Now Installed
New Half Round Windows Coming Soon
Ah… Back To Radio Central’s 1900 Look
Your Editor Keeping Busy Touchuing Up The Paint
It’s Steve Installing 12″ Crown Molding
A Laser Is Used To Make Sure Things Are Level & Even
It’s The Other Steve Installing Arch Moldings
Volunteer David Dea Does Some Weekday Wall Painting
Miguel & Nelson Attach Window Trim Molding
Dylan & Scott Check The Fit For New Arched Windows
The Paint Scheme On Our New Walls, 123 Year Old Wainscoting
And New Baseboard, New Top Rail And Window Trim Moldings…
Baseboard Crowns Are Removable For Access
To Our Low Voltage Wiring Hidden Inside
Arched Windows Coming Soon
New Volunteer / Member Eric Does Some Detail Trim Painting
The Doorway From Our Great Room
To The New Addition & Radio Hall Of Fame The Other Day
And Today! All Trimmed Out With Base Blocks & Crown.
We Will Restore And Maintain Our 18″ Thick Brick Wall.
Utility Shelf To Be Rebuilt.
The Front Wall Is Almost Ready To Use.
CHRS Tube Guru Kent Leech Demonstrates His Painting Skills
Phase 2… Facade Work Begins!
Demolishing Closet To Expose Original Facade And False Front
Ready For New Front Doorway, Windows & Trim
Nelson Starts Framing Our New ADA Doorway
Ready For New Doorway, Windows & Trim
Here’s What It Will Look Like From The Outside
Thanks To John Stuart
Ready For New Front Doorway, Windows & Trim –
Note Existing Column In Door Opening
Nelson Adjusting Bricks To Accept ADA Door Framing
Double Framing For Our 18″ Thick Brick Walls
2 Views
Looky Here! The Front Wall Of Our Great Room
Is Coming Back To It’s Former Functionality
1900 Terrazzo, Mosiac Front Door Entry Landing Discovered!
Dave Martens… Our Electrician
John Stuart Working On Our Camera System
Miles Stueding & Dave Billeci Demonstrating Painting Skills
New Windows Arrived…
And Installed!
Lots Of Natural Light
Outside Looks Great!
And The Stereo Is Hooked Up Again!
New Windows Installed And Almost Trimmed Out. Lots Of Light!
Note The Famous KRE Door In The Image Below.
It Will Become Part Of Radio Central
As The New ADA Entrance Door.
The Plastic Is Lifted From The Collection And Our Great Room Is Slowly Getting Back To Normal.We Are Creating Open Space
For Our TV Event On June 10th.
Our Great Room Front Wall Is Covered And
Waiting For New Door And Windows.
URBAN ARCHEOLOGY – Today Our Structural Engineer, Vincent Wu & Your Editor Opened The Inspection Ports On The Front Of Radio Central, Showing The Original Stucco And Brick Detail
Beneath The False Facade.