Post #590306 by bigbrotiki on Mon, May 23, 2011 11:06 AM

On 2011-05-23 10:06, CaseyJPS wrote:
There was no noticeable earthquake in the Palm Springs area over the weekend. Based on my experience, and after seeing the damage the first time, this is termites. Termites were a significant problem but fully-eradicated (with minor structural enhancements to the base/legs if I recall) when the resort re-opened in 2001 and there was regular pro-active treatment until March of 2005. If the preservationists get involved, there is an even bigger picture illustrated in the systematic destruction of the original exterior which was (also) painstakingly restored. AND, the operators are changing the rooms as well.

The City of Palm Springs had to sign-off on the exterior when the resort was under renovation. While that is not about the roof specifically, the City of Palm Springs would probably make an effort to advocate restoration--a point of some leverage.

Unfortunately, while PSModCom played a HUGE role in influencing the decision to restore the resort, the tropics has been (and remains) the poor step-child of the modern movement in Palm Springs. On all appropriate levels, PSModComm absolutely has the resources to pursue this, in addition to the PS Preservation Foundation, but whether it is seen as worthwhile to the somewhat PS elite modernist movement remains to be proven. Don't forget, there is also the Historical Site Preservation Board as well. Resources are here, they just need to be engaged.

Ultimately, everyone had better pray there is some form of insurance to cover this. Otherwise, the "owners" will absolutely tell everyone......well, they won't spend $ and they don't care.

Thank you Casey for your valuable input. If anybody, you have the insight here, after spending your blood, sweat and tears (and own money!) on restoring and running the place in the early years of the Tiki revival. I am talking to Modcom Pete about this. They need to get an experienced contractor out there that looks at the damage and proposes solid solutions to the operators on how to keep the structure.

MY naive proposal would be: Get a big crane that lifts it, they slip temporary supports under it to set it down on, fix it from underneath, and then set it down on the new supports....Voila!