Water Intrusion Problems

The roof leaks! The walls and ceilings are stained and deteriorated, and buckets are needed to catch the dripping. The Assessment Report focused finding the cause of the leaks and developing recommendations for correcting them.

 

The copper roofing was installed in 1989, and generally is in good condition, however, the edges of the roof, where the copper roofing intersects with itself or other surfaces, is not well designed or constructed and must be corrected. During the seismic upgrades, the roof will need to be removed and replaced.

 

Deficiencies can be summarized as:

1)      There are numerous problems throughout the roof, walls, doors and windows.

2)      The roof problems are primarily in the flashing and edge conditions; as the saying goes, “the devil is in the details.”

3)      The brick walls, those exposed on the north side and all others with plaster veneer, have numerous small cracks and/or surface damage.

4)      The doors and windows have some wood deterioration and frame to wall joint problems.

 

Seismic and Structural Issues

Trained professionals easily identify the seismic and structural deficiencies, although they are not obvious to the casual observer. The Assessment Report focused on understanding the extent of the problems and developing recommendations for correcting them.

 

The main building structure (the Nave) and the Towers could sustain significant damage from ground motion from an earthquake of the magnitude anticipated for Sacramento.

 

Deficiencies can be summarized as:

1)      The main structure is vulnerable to a earthquake due to its lack of lateral resistant walls and roof, and the lack of structural elements tying the building together.

2)      The walls are particularly vulnerable due to their lack of steel reinforcement.

3)      The towers are vulnerable due to the fact that they are so tall and have no lateral resistant elements and nothing holding them to the more stable portions of the building.

 

 

Liturgical Opportunities

The liturgical deficiencies are extensive. The form, environment and art, for religious services at the Cathedral have changed significantly over time, while the basic worship process has remained constant. The Mass is said in English and the priest faces the assembled, but the theology is unchanged. The worship space should draw upon Church theology and traditional values in all of its design and detailing.

 

The Assessment Report focused on the opportunities to strengthen the traditional forms and quality of the liturgy. This will be the most important and exciting portion of the rehabilitation.

 

Deficiencies can be summarized as:

1)      The Gathering (and Sending) space is not well designed to provide a place for this activity.

2)      The building does not have adequate access for persons with different abilities.

3)      The primary liturgical elements, the Altar, Ambo, Cathedra, Tabernacle, Baptismal Font and Ambry, and the Reconciliation Chapels, are not well positioned and do not serve today’s liturgy as well as they should. 

4)      The Nave and liturgical elements have deteriorated in quality and function due to numerous individual changes, over time, without adherence to traditional values.

5)      The walls and ceilings of the Nave are dulled by lack of good cleaning and maintenance.

6)      The raised ceiling (false dome) is not of the same design or quality as the original space.

7)      The Vatican II remodeling is not of the same design or quality as the original space, and does not utilize the east end in an effective manner.

8)      The space for the Music Ministry is not well located or arranged, and does not serve large special events.

9)      The Nave lighting levels and quality are poorly designed and the controls are antiquated.

10)     The Nave voice amplification system is marginal and lacks versatility.

11)     The Main Level has no toilet facilities.

12)     The Main Level has no interior connection to the Lower Level.

 

Functional Elements

The functional elements have a variety of deficiencies but overall, they are less of a problem than the liturgical due to the fact that the liturgical is functioning at less that optimum and therefore making less demands on the functional elements. If the liturgical deficiencies are corrected and the liturgical is operating at optimum, then the functional elements will have to be upgraded to meet the new demand.

 

Deficiencies can be summarized as:

1)      There are a number of building code deficiencies throughout the building, all of which should be corrected as part of the rehabilitation of the building.

2)      There is an expected (but minimal) amount of asbestos and lead materials throughout the building that will need to be abated during the rehabilitation.

3)      The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning Is in reasonable condition for the current level of use, but the system will need to be upgraded to meet current environment and energy standards and to reduce noise in the Nave.

4)      The plumbing system is inadequate.

5)      The electrical system has several deficiencies which should be corrected through routine maintenance, and which will be corrected as part of the rehabilitation.

 

Conclusion

The Assessment Report identified deficiencies based on the goal of rehabilitating the Cathedral for the next millennium. The aggregate of deficiencies is significant, and it is appropriate to take a holistic, long-term approach to the Cathedral’s rehabilitation.