October 2025 Construction Update
Dear Members,
I know it’s been challenging to train in a construction zone day after day. However, we have been moving along at a steady pace, even as you don't often see the workers behind the scenes. Jay, our general contractor, and his crew, continue to work around us and our training schedule to complete tasks. Here are just some of the things we have accomplished recently, all to bring the dojo up to code for our long-term safety and comfortability, so that we can welcome aikidoka to our school for generations to come.
As you all have now experienced, we have a new HVAC system! We have air conditioning in summer and heat in winter. Yippee! The HVAC project was the stretch goal in our recent capital campaign and we are thrilled this is complete.
We have ordered new electric service equipment (trough, meter pans, disconnects, panels, and an end box). This is a requirement to complete upgrades for ConEd to finalize our new electrical service.
The cellar room upgrade is completed and the old boiler that has given us many problems in the past, has been removed. The cellar will now house our new electrical service, which is currently in the garage.
Sheetrock of the enclosures of new steel has been installed.
A major part of the renovations has been driven by the need to have a more accessible egress, or staircase. This new staircase is on the easterly side of the dojo. On that side there is now a new and wider staircase which leads to the third floor. This will eventually become our new entrance and exit, which we hope to utilize as soon as possible to be in compliance with the Dept. of Buildings (DOB). A major job complete!
The new stairway on the easterly side up to the third floor has also been built. The new bulkhead stair roof enclosure waterproofing has been finished on the third floor.
Concrete at landings of stairs is complete and the sheetrock at the enclosure inside the stairs is underway.
The ceiling on the mat has been closed up and the ceiling in the women's dressing room has been patched up.
The old exhausts have been removed from above the kamiza and the kamiza area was repainted.
Request for the permit to begin work on the approved plans for the facade was submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), after which we will put our focus on the external renovation of the building.
The ceiling in the garage was reinforced and subsequently closed up, minus areas that are needed for plumbing. This provides soundproofing between us and the tenant we receive.
If you are new to the dojo, a bit of context: we own all three floors of both 140 and 142 West 18th Street. We have been working for quite some time to rent the ground floor space. Rent received would subsidize the expenses of owning an old, large building while keeping our training dues at a minimum. Our brokers are actively showing the property; the space has garnered interest from some interesting potential tenants. We hope to have news on this soon.
Once we receive a tenant, we will be able to approach banks for loans, to be paid back over time through the receipt of downstairs rent. As communicated in our capital campaign, what we raised from individual donations covers only a part of the necessary upgrades. We are very grateful for all of you who have completed your campaign pledges and are continuing to do so. You have gotten us very far.
As always, please be in touch with questions about the construction upgrades with me or any of our finances with the finance committee.
I have been on the road a lot, representing the dojo. I look forward to being home more regularly and getting on the mat with you all.
Sharon Dominguez
President