124 E. Broadway Tucson, AZ Prepared for: CBRE Brokerage Services 3719 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719
BACKGROUND: The Tucson Veterans of Foreign Wars building, located at 124 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ appears to be constructed in the 1940 s with 13,720 square feet of building space and 9235 square feet of parking lot adjacent to the building. Based on provided building plans, the building is a two-story brick structure over a basement. The structural system consists of exterior brick walls and columns with concrete beams spanning between interior brick columns and supporting a steel metal pan and a system of open web steel joists. The building has gone through various renovations during the course of its history with the following documents provided for these improvements. DOCUMENTS PROVIDED/REVIEWED: The documents provided include but are not limited to: Drawings for the Master Control Relocation work by Roy Knappenberger with City of Tucson approval stamp dated, 08/08/1995 (10 sheets) Tenant Improvement Plans for Tucson Community Cable Corporation by The NBBJ Group/Gresham Larson dated, 08/08/1986 (12 sheets) Lobby Remodel Plans by Thomas Greenwood Architects, Inc., dated July 1995 (10 sheets) Master Control Relocation Plans by Logan T. White Engineering, dated 05/23/1995 (3 sheets) Building exterior and interior photographs VISUAL SITE INSPECTION: SMR performed a visual site inspection on August 24, 2016 to evaluate the following items: 1. Identify if the interior partitions are load bearing or not 2. Evaluate the general condition of the exterior brick walls for structural safety 3. Evaluate the condition of the crack in the exterior plaster finish Protected communication under pertinent code Page 3 of 8
1- INTERIOR PARTITIONS Interior partition walls are designed to divide the building s interior area into different rooms intended to be used for different purposes. Depending on the structural design of the building these walls can serve just for the purpose of dividing the area or they could also serve as load bearing walls to partially support the building loads. SMR performed a limited visual observation to determine if these walls are load bearing walls or simple partitions. During our observation we were able to remove some of the existing ceiling tiles to observe the as-built condition of the existing partition walls. Our observation indicates the walls terminate at the ceiling elevation or right below the second. In addition, to the extent possible to observe, the interior walls between the second floor and the roof framing appear to be non-load bearing partition walls. (see image #1 below for typical condition) Existing Framing Existing stud partition walls Image #1 Protected communication under pertinent code Page 4 of 8
2- EXTERIOR BRICK WALLS The exterior walls of the building are constructed from brick units with a mortar bed. During our visual inspection we could not determine if the brick walls are reinforced with steel bar reinforcing or not. The walls are typically built with individual brick units sitting in a mortar bed. We observed the walls are constructed with a small gap in the mortar layer between the brick units. Based on our visual observation, SMR does not believe the small gap possesses a structural deficiency for the performance of the walls. However, we recommend as part of future renovation of the facility, further investigation be carried out to determine if proper reinforcing is provided in the walls for wind and earthquake lateral force resistance. (see images #2 - #3 below for as-built condition) Exterior brick wall Image #2 Protected communication under pertinent code Page 5 of 8 Image #3
3- EXTERIOR PLASTER CRACKS During our field visit we observed a crack in the plaster finish on the south side of the exterior wall of the building. The crack appears to be only in the plaster, cosmetic in nature and limited to the exterior plaster finish. We do not see this crack to be a safety concern and it can be easily repaired by sealing and repainting. (see images #4 - #5 below for location and existing condition). Exterior wall crack location Image #4 Protected communication under pertinent code Page 6 of 8
Exterior wall crack Image #5 Image #6 Protected communication under pertinent code Page 7 of 8
CONCLUSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS Based on our general building observation and visual evaluation of the building condition, we have concluded the building is in good standing and has the structural integrity to be modified and renovated for future commercial use. The walls that are dividing up the spaces on the ground level as well as the second level are all partition walls. They can be modified or even removed as desired to accommodate a new design. We recommend that as part of the future renovation, the reinforcing in the brick walls to be evaluated in accordance with ASCE 41-13 stipulations, which may require some destructive testing and possibly retrofitting of the walls. Protected communication under pertinent code Page 8 of 8