would have to know what building code and edtion you are under

1. classify the occupancy, sounds like an "A"

2. meet required life safety requirements per code adopted

such as exiting, exit signs, emergency lighting, possible panic hardware, possible fire alarm, possible fire sprinkler system, etc.


and that is even if you let one person in and do not charge or even if you take donations.


so with that said what do they want you to do???

So far they asked us to have a structural engineer come in and inspect the building to ensure structure is safe. (Done)

Draw up floor plans showing exit routes and install temporary lighting. (Done)

Show them our plans for the scheduled events and what each of the events entails (done)

This was all required for approval for our Halloween opening and completed prior to meeting with the city on Friday the 17th.

They have now decided that we should also hire an architect to tell us that we need the following:

Temporary Railing (we already agreed to provide)
Exit signs (done)
second entrance and exit (done)

Our problem is we are trying to get this done for Halloween. We are willing to do everything they have asked but the Mayor keeps changing what he wants. He has made it something personal and then hides behind he is doing it for public safety.

so why is the mayor involved??

no building department??

Have him give you a complete list in writing and due dates, that way you can pin him down, and also last resort go to the media and ask them to look into what is going on.
A little pr helps some times.

the city does have to protect it self incase someone gets hurt they can show that building met code for the use.

you might find a arch e tech or code consulatant that will do some pro bono work

http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/inspections

there should also be an appeals process, but with the timeline you are tryng to meet may not do any good except in the long run of the project

The building inspector works for a local construction company. It is a small town with population of 6500. The Mayor is playing bigshot, he was elected with 350 votes. He is not happy that an outsider is the one that has chosen to take on the task of trying to save this old building.

They refuse to get us a list of requirements, they want us to hire an architect and him provide them with a list of requirements. The inspector told us pretty much what they expected and we agreed to do each of those things yet they still want us to hire one so we have done that also last Friday late after the meeting at 4:00 pm/. We are juust on such a crunch as far as time and looking for some help from the city rather than more hurddles.

Go to the media and state your opening date, tonight. Sometimes saying you misunderstood what they wanted, you thought after you hired the architect that meant okay to open, an approval. "I sorry I mis-understood your wishes"

I like that, They really can't stop me without a court order but I am looking for long term (one year)income from the ghost hunts so don't want to get into a bigger problem.

Keep in mind, the State Fire Marshall has the ability to stop you in your tracks, as does your insurance carrier.

Just have the arch e tech restate what the building department stated they wanted and hand in and see what flys. See if they add any thing else.

Insurance Carrier knows what we are doing, why would they want to stop us?

It would not surprise me if the State Fire Marshal did not come in because the Mayor has already called the EPA twice and they have been to the property on both occassions. They have not had any problems with us to this point.

The Mayor had said we were burning items from inside the building, the only thing burned outside was brush from our clean-up days, which is per city ordinances. The second complaint to the EPA was regarding barrels in the building, which there are none, they checked both out and found nothing. Why would they think there would be barrels of anything in an old State Hospital?

Was there others wanting the property so some blockgant re-delvelopments funding could be handed out?

The property has been vacant since 1973. It has went through several owner that did nothing but scavenge metal and let the building deteriorate. It has been a haven for vandels and teens daring to enter. It is mared with grafetti.

We had a fundraiser and we were expecting 1,000 people, we had 4,500 people show up wanting this building saved. It is even on the city emblem and the police emblem.

Everyone wants it restored just no one wanted to do it. I chose to do it because it was mentioned in the ad I seen that the limestone blocks could be used elsewhere.

The structure is amazing, 20 plus inch exterior walls, and a great gothic look.

That is a fascinating building. I hope you are successful in finding a re-use.

We have two developers interested for long term deals. We are just using the ghost tours like the property in Louisville, KY. Waverly Hills. One of the developers wants loft style apartments, the other would have haunted bed and breakfast like the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis.

I have been instructed to provide temporary railings for the stairs. Does anyone have drawings of temporary wood railings that we can build. He mentioned 200# or something?

If you are complying and they keep on adding items, Today it is the handrails, tomorrow it will be something else. Get a list from them. They are going to pick you a part one correction at a time. You may need an agreement through the Courts ???

I haven't seen any comments about accessibility. Be sure that any tours that you conduct are accessible to people with disabilities. It would be awful to lose any money raised to someone feeling that they have been discriminated against.

I know I am late to this party, but the Mayor (or any other city official) cannot request that you do anything that is not in the city ordinance or state law AND the city ordinance must be in accordance with enabling legislation stating what laws they are permitted to enact and enforce.


That said, how did it go for your Holloween ghost tour?