9a_ramp_project.html

ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT

The Project began on a sunny day in June, 2006. The Object: build a ramp for access into Concord House off the back parking lot.

The Crew (left to right)
Stephen Byrd
Kirk Gradin
Robert Moore
Russ Lewin
Maurice Bisheff

Not shown:
Carl Nolt, Amayas "The Captain" Gradin,
Gerry Lewin, Joe Miller, N. Miller, Kim Miller, Doug Matheson, Jonathan Colbert, Vijay Colbert, Marika Davidek, Carolyn Dorrance, Angie Tepfer, Jenny Bisheff, Maggie Gold, Bonnie Elliott, Renée Tillotson, Ingrid Head, Donna Moore, Christine Nolt, and more.

We would like to thank the Santa Barbara Foundation for a $5,000 grant to purchase materials for the ramp.





All labor on this project was done by volunteers, including the project design and supervision by Kirk Gradin of Banyan Architects. Kirk (left) is preparing for concrete to be poured at the base of the stairs.



		Kirk and son, Amayas, (above) take a break, but Amayas has his concrete trowl ready to get back to work. Robert and Kirk keep the concrete flowing.



Kirk Gradin and Carl Nolt	Amayas "Bulldozer" Gradin	Kirk with concrete; Robert without concrete.



	Joe Miller, N. Miller and Amayas Gradin Maurice and Steve exemplifying maximum work with minimum materials.



	Kirk positions the concrete mixer to pour the base to the stairs. Robert provides quality control.



	Gerry "Got the Grant" Lewin (left); No Gerry, No Ramp. Bonnie Elliott is helping hammer to get this project done!!!!



Kirk started the day by picking up a large cart of concrete at the crack of dawn so that we could do the big pour at the base of the ramp. This required some careful planning on Friday to make sure that the forms adapted to the precise slope required. Steve worked hard on all aspects of the job - especially making sure that Russ did not slack. Robert helped to perfect the work. Maurice continued the sanding the redwood that will eventually be sculpted into the railing. Amayas (the Captain) cheered everyone on. With his brand new boots, he was able to lay down some nice tracks in the fresh concrete. Special thanks to Christine & Carl for providing an awesome lunch.



Kirk and Amayas hard at work. The ramp has received a waterproof, slip proof protective coating. The railings are next.



The ramp was completed on July 7, 2007, just in time to start the bathroom remodel. What a herculean effort on the part of IWC members. Special thanks go to Kirk and Amayas Gradin, Russ and Gerry Lewin, and Robert Moore. Thanks to all!



Gnarly Crew



	With volunteers like these, how could anything go wrong?



Complex turns made pouring the concrete here tricky.