Plumwood Terrace

Update - November 11, 2018

Rochon Construction has now acquired all of the building permits they need for the building D project to go forth.Starting Monday, November 12, foundation work will start.

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Update - October 28, 2018

Reminder: The meeting with Randy Snyder of Rochon,Inc. is at the Plumwood clubhouse, 6:30pm Tuesday evening. Along with Randy Snyder, John Ruppe, building D rebuild coordinator, will be there to answer questions for you. Refreshments will be served. Remember to limit two people per unit for space considerations. Thank you.

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On Tuesday, October 30th at 6:30 pm in the Plumwood clubhouse Randy Snyder of Rochon Construction will meet with building D residents. It will consist of an overview of the process for reconstruction of building D. 

Since the space in the room is limited, please only two people per unit should attend. 

This is a very important meeting, so please plan to attend.

 

Thanks to all and see you at the meeting!

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Update - October 14, 2018

With the rain and awful weather of the past several days there has been no activity at building D. That doesn't mean that internally nothing is happening.

 

Randy Snyder of Rochon is staying on top of things by working with the sub contractors and making sure that materials and supplies are ordered and that when our weather turns for the better that all is ready to move forward.

More foundation work needs to be done and then they concentrate on pouring the new floor on top of the foundation with bar joist supports and set their sights on framing the building.

Things are happening and the right people are working every day to see it through. Randy is also preparing to set up a meeting with individual unit owners to go over the final changes that have been drawn up by Wells and Associates. You will be contacted in the coming days on this.

 

Thank you all and stay tuned.

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Update - October 1, 2018

Iowa Demolition has removed the entire first floor off the foundation and now will remove one foot from the foundation itself.

 

After the completion of the foundation repair the foundation will be re-poured along with new bar joist supports and after the concrete curing it should be ready for framing. The weather is not very cooperative but crews are working at the site to prepare for what needs to be done next. 

 

Randy Snyder of Rochon says that being on schedule is extremely important and that is foremost on their minds. As progress is made, you will be informed on just what is going on.

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Update - September 24, 2018

The Iowa Demolition Company has unloaded two crawler machines to start work on removing the floor (top) of the foundation (approx. 2 feet) to take away the old bar joist supports and ready Rochon to pour the new concrete floor and new bar joist supports so that the framing can proceed when the concrete work is finished.

Additional planning is ongoing between State Farm Insurance and Rochon daily and both are working steadily to get going with this rebuild John Ruppe is in meetings with both Rochon Construction and Wells Architects to make sure everyone is on the same page and to make sure progress is on track.

 

Look for another update later this week as new information becomes available. Thank you all.

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Update - September 17, 2018

The contractor for the rebuild project of Building D has been named. Rochon (row-shon) will be the contractor.
 

All residents of building D will be informed soon about a meeting with residents and Rochon executives to answer questions and to give out information about the project, the length of time for the rebuild, sub contractors, and everything pertinent to this rebuild. This meeting will take place in the Plumwood clubhouse at a date to be determined.

One important piece of information that you should all know about is that there is a glut of construction in and around the Des Moines  area. There is a shortage of workers and a lot of the sub contractors have been stretched to the point where getting enough help has been difficult for them. Rochon doesn't feel this will hinder them for this project. Materials for the rebuild have started to be ordered as well as plans for preliminary work that must be done to the foundation and garage area.

In all this to do we have calculated the engineering costs have rung up six (6) times higher than they were in 2010 for building A rebuild! That's according to State Farm insurance.

No one wants to hear about delays and what has been going on with this project any longer. It's time to get moving on this and we FINALLY are getting some traction.

We feel Rochon will be a great partner for all residents. They are experienced and professional in every aspect of the building trade. Another update will be forth coming next week.

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Update - September 11, 2018

We were told the contract should be awarded and signed this week once all things are sorted out between State Farm and the contractor. 

Bids are in! Update - August 28, 2018

The bids are all in from the general contractors and we are awaiting word who the selected contractor will be. We should know within just a few days who will rebuild D.

 

Our understanding is that details have to be worked out between architect Wells and the contractor, once selected. Details of the build will be revealed to everyone when the contract is awarded.

 

Look for another update soon. Thank you again for tuning in!

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Update - August 20, 2018

On Thursday, the 15th, all three bids were submitted by the three contractors vying for the rebuild of building D. According to State Farm representatives, all three bides were “very close” in the dollar amount they each submitted. 

 

The next step is for the home office of State Farm Insurance to go through the process and make the decision as to which contractor will receive the nod to start the process of reconstructing your new homes. How long this selection process takes is anybody's guess. We would hope that the action taken by State Farm will be somewhat accelerated since all of these delays have hampered construction to this point.

 

As soon as a decision has been made by State Farm and we are notified by them, each one of you will be notified by phone or e-mail. This web site will be updated the same day with the same information as well.

 

The meeting with the fire forensics investigators on the cause of the fire was held last week. With the evidence collected and investigating completed the powers that be have come to the conclusion as “undetermined.” This concludes the information to date. Thank you.

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Update – August 7, 2018

Since the meeting at the Plumwood clubhouse last Tuesday evening, there has been no news regarding the rebuild. We do know that the three general contractors bidding for the opportunity to build have all of the plans needed to formulate their pricing, and get their bid in order for submission to State Farm insurance. This process will hopefully be completed by August 15th. 

 

Plumwood is still awaiting an answer for our claim request with State Farm for the elevators in both buildings B and C. We have two bids submitted with one more outstanding. 

 

As more information becomes available it will be forwarded to the website. Thank you and stay tuned.

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Better News Update - July 27, 2018

Better news this time around!

Wells and Associates Architects have completed the plans, and now the drawings. Mechanicals and wiring plans are in the hands of the three general contractors who will be bidding the project rebuild of building D.

The residents of building D are invited to attend a meeting on their behalf this coming TUESDAY evening the 31st of July at 7:00 pm at the Plumwood clubhouse to get caught up on what can be shared with all of you.

John Ruppe will be there to answer questions you have as they apply to the rebuild. John has worked extremely hard to follow this menagerie that everyone has been put through to this point and is as ready as anyone to get the construction underway. Wells has not treated any of you fairly and it's way past time these plans are finalized.

The three contractors bidding will not be in attendance since State Farm will be choosing the bid winner and not our residents as was the case with building A in 2010.

 

Please attend Tuesday evening and we hope this is better news and something to build on. Thank you very much.

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Update July 15, 2018

Since January of 2018, Plumwood Terrace Association has endured a rough ride. Not only for the residents of Building D, but most recently for all residents who experienced loses from the heavy rains and flooding from the June 30th storms that rolled through the Des Moines metro area. Almost everyone in buildings B and C suffered major losses as well as Plumwood property itself.

 

As far as Building D goes, we still have no news as far as a start date goes for reconstruction. I spoke at length with John Ruppe on Saturday afternoon on what has transpired recently and there has been no movement since we last updated this website.

 

Marshall Little of State Farm insurance pokes and prods Doug Wells architectural firm weekly as to what has been getting done, and Mr. Wells continues to put Marshall off by not returning his phone calls or his secretary saying he's not in and to leave a message. The good news is that three building firms have the preliminary plans to get started on the rebuild, but that takes time since they have to organize their sub contractors and get pricing so that they can make the bid available to State Farm for the go ahead to at least get started to frame the structure and put a roof on as well.

We all know how frustrating and angry the residents of Building D are, and the board of directors and all of your neighbors here at Plumwood share your anger and disappointment. State Farm has got to act NOW and make something legitimate happen very soon- like yesterday!
On Monday, John Ruppe will be speaking with Marshall Little and see what his plan is for this week.

 

It is my hope that all of these delays will quickly be remedied and that the Building D residents will very soon see activity on your new property. You all will be notified as soon as we have information to share. Thank you all for your patience and perseverance throughout this rebuild ordeal.

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Update for Saturday, July 7, 2018

There is no news to report this week about building D.

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Update - Jun 23, 2018

Mid American energy has set a power pole near building D this past week so that we can have a power source for any upcoming activity at the building D site.  We continue to pump water out of the basement and fans have been installed to help the drying process each day. There has been activity from prospective contractors measuring and looking at the building D site in preparation for submitting a bid.Marshall Little from State Farm says they are just waiting for the bids to come in and a decision will be made after all bids are submitted.That is really all we have to report this week.

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Plumwood Potluck Picnic

Plumwood is hosting a Potluck Picnic and Pool Party in honor of building D. It will be at the Clubhouse, Sunday, July 8, 2018 starting at 12:00PM. Please bring picnic food to grill and/or share. Place settings, watermelon, coffee and tea will be provided. Thanks! Peggy Heinen, 515-254-9292.

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Building D Good News Update

Finally some good news. The preliminary plans have been sent to 5 contractors for bids. The letters of invitation were sent out Friday, June 8th. The following were the 5 companies sent the bid invitations: United Services, Hubbell, EricksonBalmer, Downing and Rochon. Preliminary plans mean the contractor can start to work on the rebuild. You will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Building D Rebuild Update

As of today, Wednesday May 30th, we have nothing positive to report on the progress of the Building D rebuild. The problem is with the architect firm of Wells and Associates. Their sense of urgency seems to be missing in action.Each week we speak with them and they tell us the plans should be done within two weeks and that just does not happen. Wells keeps moving the finish date back each week.It is now nearly the first of June and there are still no plans ready to pass on to State Farm so that a general contractor can be chosen for the rebuild.John Ruppe met with our attorney yesterday along with board member Vice President, Jan Laue, to discuss any options we might have to push things ahead with Wells and Associates. Our attorney is writing a letter to Wells issuing an ultimatum to get the plans finished and quit pushing the finish dates back. Today, according to John Ruppe, Wells said they should have plans ready by June 20th - another date pushed back.If anything changes coming up, you will be notified immediately.Thank you for your patience. We are all very frustrated at this juncture.

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Re-Build Plan Update

The city of Urbandale and Wells Architecture are finalizing the re-build plan and it should be ready to give to Marshall Little, State Farm field adjustor, by the end of week May 26. If that happens, then John Ruppe, rebuild liaison for Plumwood Terrace, will be seeking  four bids for the reconstruction of Building D. Yes, all of our building D residents are growing impatient as we all are, but this is good news and let's all hope it comes to a positive end this week. Also, as of this day May 19, 2018, no official determination has been received as to the cause of the fire that destroyed building D. The State Farm Insurance Company has been conducting an investigation with the investigation being managed and overseen by Lon Abeltins, president and senior fire investigation of IFIC. This process began on March 6, 2018.As promised, once we hear that a contractor has been secured for the rebuild you will be notified  immediately.

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Structural Engineer Notes

The structural engineer with Wells and Associates was on the campus of Plumwood on Wednesday, May 2nd with Gabe, the architect for Wells who is drawing up the new building D plans. She stated the foundation is in really great shape with only two exceptions.1)  Two of the support columns in the basement are not straight and have to be straightened (reset) according to building code.2) Two of the steel roof support beams in the basement are damaged and will need to be replaced before construction can begin. These exceptions will be taken care of by the general contractor once they have been awarded the building contract. In short, the plans will need to be updated for these exceptions and then the architect will hand off the building plans to State Farm so that they can move forward and award the contract. Wells and Associates and State Farm expect the bid award to the go to the general contractor by the middle of the month. As soon as the award has been given, you all will be notified.

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Moving Forward

As Building D is nearly torn down by Iowa Demolition, it is on to the next step with the rebuild. Once the general contractor has been selected by State Farm, the resident/owners of the units will be contacted immediately by John Ruppe, the rebuild project manager. John will schedule meetings with resident/owners [on a per floor basis] to speak about what will be transpiring as the rebuild progresses.As we move forward, the smaller details of changes in floor plans can be handled by John Ruppe and he in turn will work them out with the general contractor not needing to involve the architect. John being the point of contact means the owner will be asked to communicate with John about any questions or concerns and NOT bother the general contractor. Involving them would only delay the rebuild.So, that is where we are to this point. We need to wait for things to fall into place. It is important to be patient and not get ahead of ourselves.As of Thursday April 19th, we still have not heard about the determining cause of the fire from State Farm.

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Demolition Update

According to Iowa Demolition project manager, demolition of the building will begin Thursday, April 12th. 

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Building D Updates

As this week draws to a close, Iowa Demolition Company is wrapping up the cleaning and clearing of building D's basement. All service lines have been severed by contractors and the demolition of the structure will begin on Monday, April 8th. The demolition process should take 3 to 5 days. It will be good to see the old building demolished and taken away.

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The current plans from Wells must move forward so that a general contractor can be selected by State Farm Insurance. 

Below are the parameters set by Wells architects for any changes desired by the Plumwood homeowner. Please note these are charges you will be responsible for and not the Homeowners association. If you feel you must see Wells, you need to call to make an appointment. DO NOT just walk in without an appointment!

Any floor plan changes in the future will be made solely by the General contractor of the rebuild and the owner of that unit.

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Download form here » 

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Demolition Contract

We have been notified by State Farm that the demolition contract will be awarded to Iowa Demolition Company for the tear down of Building D. No demolition start date has yet been determined. It should be forthcoming in the next few days. We will notify you as soon as we know.There will be a meeting for Building D residents on Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the clubhouse. This meeting will be with the architect to discuss the new floor plan(s) drawn up. The new floor plans will be be very similar to the original Building D plans before the fire. There will be just a few options available to residents. These will be discussed with each resident. Also in attendance (tentatively) will be Marshall Little of State Farm insurance. Marshall is a field adjuster for State Farm and will be discussing the building demolition and the rebuild as well as the floor plan options for all to think over.Please make sure you can attend on the 29th as these floor plans will supersede any previous plans you have been shown or were drawn up.

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Building 4837 Burglary and Theft

Letter from Urbandale Police Dept:

 

Subject: Plumwood Terrace: Building 4837 Burglary and theft. Police Contact Information

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This email is to make you aware that on or about 2/5/18 at least two residents had their Condos burglarized. One of the victims had credit cards stolen and the suspects used the credit cards at several different stores. We are in the process of attempting to identify the suspects using surveillance video.

 

If your condo was burglarized and you have not already reported it to the Urbandale Police Department please contact me at the information below or are dispatch at 515-222-3321. If you are not sure if anyone has burglarized your home please check your financial statements in case they are using your credit cards or checks. Thank you,

 

Detective Andy Morlan, CFCE, CFE

Urbandale Police Dept

3740 86th St Urbandale, IA

(o) 515-331-6816 (f) 515-252-6078

amorlan@urbandale.org

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Meeting with Architect

Meeting Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Plumwood clubhouse. It is imperative that everyone attend. The architect Doug Wells will be there to make a presentation and will have each unit's preliminary plans on a board for you to look at, and if necessary, make any changes before it goes to final plan. As previously stated, please be there!

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Floor Plan Drop Off

Please drop your floor plans in the Drop Box located behind the column, at the top of the stairs outside the clubhouse, by end of day on Wednesday, the 21st of February.

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Important Notice!

Saturday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The basement of building D will be open to retrieve items still down there. This is for items in the basement only!

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Three Nights Of Meetings To Discuss Floor Plans For Each Unit

John Ruppe will have floor plans for the proposed rebuild for each unit owner to look at and discuss any changes that you would like made. You may take these plans home to think about and discuss any changes. You will need to return the floor plan of your unit with any changes back to John Ruppe by February 20th so that it can be submitted to the architect for final plan drawing. We are going to hold these meetings on three successive nights. On Tuesday, the 13 th of February, he will meet with all 1st floor residents. On Wednesday, the 14th of February, he will meet with all 2nd floor residents. On Thursday, the 15th of February, he will meet with all 3rd floor residents. The time for these meetings will be 7:00 PM.

It is imperative that you attend your meeting!

If you cannot attend your designated meeting please inform John Ruppe. John's phone number is 515-689-6533 or email at jcruppe8@gmail.com.

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Letter from Marshall Little of State Farm

Here you will find a letter from Marshall Little of State Farm. Click here to view/download PDF »

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Building D Residents Meeting - Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m.

There will be a Building D residents meeting Thursday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. Updates on the rebuild will be given at the meeting. Due to limited space, please bring no more than 2 people per unit.

• All cars have been removed from the garage. Thanks for your efforts in getting this done.

• At the request of State Farm, John Ruppe (project manager), is in the process of acquiring bids for demolition.

• A permanent steel fence has been installed around the perimeter of the building for more security. This will remain in place during the entire project.

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