 Severance Hall is the home of the internationally renowned Cleveland Orchestra. In preparation for the next millennium, the orchestra's home underwent a dramatic transformation. Precision Environmental Company was involved from the start, providing selective demolition and asbestos abatement services. Charles Laszlo, senior building engineer for Severance Hall, discussed Precision's important contributions to the renovation, including the removal of 12,000 square feet of exterior limestone and 2,100 auditorium seats.
"My initial contact with Precision was in the first phase of the project, which was to take the limestone off the back of the building," Laszlo said. "We were still having concerts and the orchestra and staff were in the building. We had to maintain our building as if nothing was happening out back. Precision was able to work right through that without disruption.
Precision had to work around the schedule of the orchestra under tight
deadlines. "I published a flag schedule. A red flag meant no work could be
done, a yellow flag meant cautious work, while a green flag allowed them to
do any work. Most of the project was performed under yellow flag conditions.
Trying to do demolition without making noise is really difficult,"
Laszlo said with a smile.
"We were still having concerts and the orchestra and staff
were in the building. We had to maintain our building as if
nothing was happening out back. Precision worked right through
it without disruption."
-Charles Laszlo, Senior Building Engineer
Severance Hall
"They took 2,100 seats out of the main hall. That's a strategic layout by itself," Laszlo recalled. "The day the project started, Euclid Avenue was tied up and Precision couldn't even get a truck in here. They improvised and went around to the side doors. Precision knows how to think on their feet." Laszlo appreciated Precision's concern for details, which he said set them apart from the competition. "Precision was very accommodating and did what we needed. Their foremen were all knowledgeable and aware of the conditions of what they were supposed to demo. I would have them back for any project."
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