Queen Tower Lobby A/C 11/2/2018
Both lobbies' a/c have been repaired over the years with some instances where a/c was not working for a few days to a week, so why do we have to downgrade now to split a/c?
The below pictured split a/c system was installed in the front section of Queen Tower's lobby last week, at a cost of $9,000. Apparently there are plans to install 3 more in the other sections of QT lobby (at a supposed total cost of $27,000 more?), as mentioned at the board meeting Thursday night 11/1/2018. A concerned owner asked why we had this $9,000 expense when we have an a/c chiller system for a luxury-style building. The president of the board said because it would cost $12,000 to replace the air handler, plus approx $3,000 for construction work to take out an old handler and install a new one, so it was cheaper to do the split a/c systems for $9,000 (each). We don't understand the reason for this decision in a luxury lobby, as split a/c is not a 'luxury look'. It is hard to believe that the buildings' engineers did not plan appropriate access for maintenance and repair of the a/c system, as there is a large access panel in the lobby's ceiling (picture below). We would like to overturn the board before the next 3 QT lobby units are installed and we wonder if something similar is planned for King Tower lobby. Additionally, a board member questioned why this decision was not brought before the entire board - but rather made only by the manager and board president together. He stated for the record that this was not proper procedure, as the manager does not have authority to spend whatever he wants, and also requested that no further such spending be done without prior approval from the board.
We will be looking at the engineering drawings we have of our buildings in our next step of this continued oversight investigation by COLGW, to better determine the relevant issues in the situation.
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As of November 2nd, looked over the building plans. There are access panels (AP), to service the Fan Coil Units (FCU). The access panels are large enough to remove the electrical motors and the fans. Also the 18" X 18" access panel is large enough to repair the chill water lines. The leaking is from the drip trays. I heard that the drip trays have been repaired before, but the repair did not last long. TRANE Company suggested to replace the FCU. So I do not know why the AOAO board made the decision to install split units. Per the AOAO board, said that the KOA ceiling would need to be removed in order to remove the Fan Coil Unit. However another point of entry to replace the FCU, would be in the inner QT Lobby, above the door. Remove the drywall as needed to rig out the FCU. However, should be trying another method to repair the drip pan. They attempted to fix the drip trays prior, but now a split unit was installed. Scroll down for more information. Michael Polesky
