Remember back when I first started talking about the construction up the street from me? Well, it is moving along at a snails pace. I think I first noticed something happening in late February or early early March....(I'l check my photo's to see...), and I began showing them building this retaining wall. Well, they are still building it. And it is huge! And will be even huger before they are done.They also started on a retaining wall nearer the street level as well, as you can see in that photograph above...and that is going pretty slowly, too...I took these photo's on Thursday, I think...or maybe it was Wednesday...Whatever....It is pretty amazing....I was told by a neighbor that the actual house that will eventually be built up there is going to be 6,000 square feet, with a three car garage!
Here they are moving dirt to drop behind the wall, and packing it in as tight as they can after each dirt drop....
I watched as they did this, amazed at the percision that goes into what they do to move this crane around in a very very small area....Here, below, the man running that crane moves in closer, maneuvring to get into the correct position, having already scooped the dirt up.
Then he gets into the correct position and proceeds to drop the dirt right behind the still unfinished wall....this is how they do this each day, every day....
And then, the guy running the crane lifts the dirt carrier part and moves backwards to then goes to get some more dirt....And so it goes....
Here he is having backed up to his former position and there are the guys who tap that dirt down, and you can just see a little bit of the wall that is on the street level, sort off....
Here below, is a more extensive view of the wall that's being built on the street level...
So, there you have the most recent update on this endless construction. If this is where they are now after five and a half months....well, God only knows how long it will take to actually build and finish the house that will sit on this hill....Just a little bit of a reminder of how this street level looked on March 2, 2oo6, in the photograph below....this photo was taken looking up the street as opossed to the photo above it with the partially built wall, where I was looking down the street...
Is it just me or does this look so much nicer back then....Progress, it stinks sometimes, doesn't it? Well, maybe when it is all finished it will look fabulous, but right now, it sure looks a mess! OY!
More To Come....
Update: 1:24pm Go read this story...it is unbelievable!
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/man-trapped-in-110-degree-chocolate/20060818095509990004
- had this to say:
It is interesting to watch a construction process! I'd much rather have a green spot in the neighborhood than a cement block, but this might turn into a beautiful home. Hope they like gardening just like you do, to enjoy a new one!
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 12:27:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Progress seems to be extrememly slow, though I suspect onc ethey have the reatining wall and foundations done things will move much more quickly. Meanwhile it does look messy. Hopefully it will look fabulous when it is finished. Thanks for sharing a bit of your neighbourhood with us. I would love to see more sometime.
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 1:35:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Well.. I assume that will stop the mud slides there.. but one good quake can take all that work down to rubble! I wonder: is anything really "quake proof?"..
Gads, I don't think I can even imagine how much that house they will build will cost!!- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 5:04:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Okay, I don't know much about retaining walls and I'm sure the guys building this are the experts. But, this is in CA, home to mud slides and earthquakes, correct? Most retaining walls that are intended to actually hold back soil are built leaning into the hill on an angle to counteract the pressure of the soil, the outter part of the wall, that you can view from the street, should be straight up and down. It's hard to describe in words the wedge shape the wall should be. Also, I saw mortar on the cinderblocks, but didn't see any rebar or cement to go down inside the blocks to help reinforce them. All I saw was one layer thick of the cinderblocks. Am I misunderstanding how retaining walls are supposed to be built?
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:09:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I like watching the construction process, but the lack of speed here is reidiculous! Maybe they ran into a problem with the site, like rock or poor soil. I think it will go much faster once they get the walls and ground prepared.
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:30:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
What are they building....and are they loaded?
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:32:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I imagine the view from this house will be to die for. However, with the mud slides you're famous for out there, I think I'd be very hesitant to build on such a precarious spot!
I totally agree on "progress"...it isn't always for the best.- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 7:06:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
You know, it seems that someone always has to come in and do what they think is 'bigger and better'. Such a shame. This won't block any view I hope?
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 8:22:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Snails pace is right! I still remember the last pics you posted!
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 8:25:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
That is going to be one heck of a house!
I would have never guessed Felicity and William H Macy...Her hair looks so long and dark...I like both of those guys.
Naomi I was very, very sad and cried through most of Deadwood last night after (your friend) Mr. Elsworth was murdered. He was a good guy, and a fine actor!
PS- I love the salad pics and info below. I didn't really realize the history behind the salad. Though I have had Derby dressing and liked it. I imagine it comes from the places recipe.- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 8:51:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Perhaps if they planted some shrubs in front of the retaining wall it will help the view. Couldn't hurt the conservation of the soil either.
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 11:40:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I'm imagining nice landscaping and flowering vines and some Mediteranean color. :)
~S- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 12:33:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
v.v. knows his u.b.c.!(uniform building code) The engineering of retaining walls is complex, and the slow pace may be due to required city inspections at every stage. Patience, dear Naomi, the house will be an asset to your street, and provide you with more colorful neighbors to write about. There must be something about the water--it seems only nice, creative people live up there.
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 2:42:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
hi, i jumped from charles page. I love the use of HUGER. Dont see it often.
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 4:51:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Man, that looks like a lot of work!
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:43:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
I prefer the natural beauty of the hill. Perhaps the owner feels the need for security. I doubt that anyone will be able to scale that wall when it is completed.
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 8:23:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
v.v. is sure right about those rebars in the concrete blocks.
Can't say I agree with Anon.-- no-matter-how-famous
the personage, does not offset natural surroundings. Expect that's been the view in L.A. and the foothills for many years, however.
We're trying to protect our foothills in northwest L.A. county from possible more housing encroachment as you have pictured.
Enjoyed your Brown Derby posting and Cobb Salad receipe and info.- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 9:48:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hmmm.... I think the hill looks better before. I like things kept natural. All those retaining walls. Makes you wonder, if they have to put that many up to put one house up on the hill, is it safe having a house up on the hill?? Strange.
The chocolate story. My goodness! Poor boy! Hope he's not to burned. I never knew chocolate could be so awful! I hope they threw all that chocolate out and cleaned the hopper out!- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 6:26:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Thanks for the update on this spot Naomi. I was wondering how it was going. But it sure is going SLOW. Mercy! The cost will surely be HUGE. I'll be curious to see it after it's finished!
That link to the man in the chocolate was wild!! I sure hope they tossed out that batch!
(My crick is better today - Thank God!)- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 7:36:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
The chocolate story is incredible!! lol! I bet the young man won't be having chocolate in a long time!
I have posted pics today. Happy tuesday!- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 9:49:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, thanks for the visit. Yes, the bakery had chocolate. My granddaughter had something chocolate, but my tastes lean towards other flavors most of the time. Believe it or not....LOL
- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 11:25:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
How are all the neighbors responding to this construction going on right next to them? Are they pissed or just accept it as the inevitable...?
- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 12:15:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Those are some serious hills you live on, Naomi. Even with that retaining wall, I'd be nervous every time it rained!
- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 12:22:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I love your pic! Very cool. I think your construction guys are taking the piss. It doesn't take that long to build something these days - hell they throw up buildings all over England all the time. Do you think they are putting down a brick a day..... ? Thanks for stopping by :-)
- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 12:35:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Interesting as always...
Do you have any idea who's going to live there... Or did I miss that in this or an earlier posting?- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 1:57:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It seems to me, that if you have to build a retaining wall to keep the ground up under your house then you probably shouldn't build there. But alas maybe sometimes that's the way it happens. I do love watching it happening though.
As an aside, I have a daughter who reads your blog with great faithfulness and has a favor to ask of you. Would you mind too much to email me at lonnicusuo@yahoo.com. Thanks so very very much.- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 3:41:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
reminds me of that song " erase paradise, put in a parking lot" or something like that. Love paradise, but where can I park my car. Ty for the post on my "are the aged useless. As you know from my post, I agree with you.
- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 5:47:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
You know, I bet for those construction workers you are the most exciting part of their day. Seriously.
Oh and the news picture? Would it surprise you if I said I've thought about swimming in chocolate before. That picture makes it look rather messy though.- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 9:15:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
6,000 sq. meters! That's a huge house. Must be a big celebrity or a millionaire.
Thanks for dropping by.- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 10:51:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
If you like earth moving machines, you will love "PRETTY BIG DIG" aka the bulldozer ballet which turns up on Classic Arts Showcase now and then. You might ask Jamie Rigler when it is next scheduled.
The choclate story was indeed a sticky wicket! Much better to savor the flavor by placing two squares of that 70% Lindt (or equivalent) thin bar on a small piece of non-stick foil, then put it in the sun. It will melt quickly, and can be eaten with a tiny plastic (not metal) spoon like they use for samples. This is the ultimate choclate experience, designed for the hard core "holic".- Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 3:06:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I also like watching the construction process. I had photos of the construction of my house. It's very curious to see the empty space before the house is done!
Amazing and scary the chocolate's story!- Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 6:03:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I have a hard time with new development. Where will it end?!
Naomi, something weird happened. I cam to your site earlier in the week on 2 occassions and all I saw was the book meme still up. Now I see I've missed a whole bunch of posting going on! I guess my computer was stuck in the past!- Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 3:56:00 PM PDT
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