CDSENA - EXTREME MAKEOVER! 2007
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)
Q: Why are we taking on this project?
Q: What
were people doing out on Warner and McClintock in April?
Q: Who did the demolition?
Q: Who owns
these monument sign walls and who is paying for the electricity?
Q: How was the design approved?
Q: Why is the current signage different than what is on the Web site?
Q: If the suns can’t be any bigger, then why did you ask if I like the new (bigger) sun on Juniper?
Q:
Why is the color different than the one I see on the Web site?
Q: How was the color chosen?
Q: Why are the letters a different color?
Q: Who is on and who can sit on the Extreme Makeover Committee?
Q: How much money has been raised?
Q: How
much did we expect to pay?
Q: How much more do we need?
Q: Why are we taking on this project?
A: Check out the picture on the Extreme Makeover section of this Web site and you will remember why we were in desperate need of a makeover.
A: Mary Anne Kuhn, a neighbor who used to live on Ranch (and has since moved to North Carolina), suggested that we take this on at the annual meeting held on March 8, 2007 when we elected new board members. The official meeting to discuss the Extreme Makeover Project was held on March 24, 2007.
Q:
What were people doing out on Warner and McClintock in April?
A: We needed to
excavate about 2 inches of dirt all the way down Warner and along McClintock to
bring the walls back up to 6 feet in height. John Ellis donated in-kind the
trucks and backhoes and over 40 neighbors volunteered hundreds of hours of
their time shoveling, sweeping, and digging. This saved us and the city over
$30,000!
Q: Who did the demolition?
A: Our neighbor Dan Croyle, owner of 1st
Cut was able to remove old signs and prep the area for construction at no
charge to our neighborhood. This
saved us thousands of dollars!
Thanks Dan!
Q: Who owns these monument sign walls and
who is paying for the electricity?
A: Each individual corner property owner owns these walls and
was gracious enough to give us permission to replace them with what you see
today. With one exception, we were
able to connect the new lights to their electrical panels which means the
individual sign owners are paying for the electricity. According to SRP this will cost them
$25.95 per year in additional charges.
We want to thank Natalie and Paresh Joshi, Andy Salamone, David and
Carmen Hernandez, Mary Zatzke, and Severiano Rodarte for their willingness to
work with us on this very complex project.
Q: How was the design approved?
A: The designer’s rendering was done free of charge by Mary Anne Kuhn a neighbor who has 20 years experience as a graphic designer working with homebuilders all over the valley. She presented three options at a meeting at the Sunset Library on May 23rd at which point neighbors could provide feedback. They were subsequently placed on the Web site and votes were also tallied via email. The current design as seen on the Web site was the winning design.
Q: Why is the current signage different than what is on the Web site?
A: The City of Tempe required that we keep the entire signage (letters and sun) to no more than 24 square feet so Mary Anne (the designer) was instructed by the committee to shrink the sun more than the letters because this was always about making our name more visible. “Corona del Sol Estates” takes up a lot of space!
Q: If the suns can’t be any bigger, then why did you ask if I like the new (bigger) sun on Juniper?
A: A few neighbors and committee members expressed concern about the smaller sun when it went up so we explored asking the City to exclude the sun from the “24 square foot” requirement by making this public art instead of part of the sign. This may still be an option down the line using public art funds and/or neighborhood contributions, but the committee has chosen to continue to move forward with the current suns in the meantime.
Q:
Why is the color different than the one I see on the Web site?
A: The color of
the rendering was never meant to be the final color which was stated many times
during the meeting when the designs were displayed. The Extreme Makeover
Committee and CDSENA Board regret any miscommunication that neighbors may have
received to the contrary. Consider as well that the color you see on your
computer is different than the one on the computer next to you. Every monitor
is different.
Q:
How was the color chosen?
A: Recognizing
that there was no way to please everyone the committee chose to put this
decision in the hands of an expert. Mary Anne Kuhn was asked to provide her
color recommendation to the committee for approval. This was done at a
committee meeting in August as it is an updated color and reflects the golden
hues of the sun. (Corona del Sol means Crown of the Sun)
Q: Why are the letters a different color?
A: America’s Instant Signs was instructed to make them the same color green as the Tuscany sign in Chandler. The current color of the letters was incorrectly done and the contractor is working on getting a revised set done for the committee to approve so that he can go back and redo the rest. He will be doing this as part of the original contract.
Q: Who is on and who can sit on the Extreme Makeover Committee?
A: This committee is overseen and supported by the CDSENA Board. Everyone has been invited to participate and all comments, questions, and concerns have been welcomed at every meeting. Mary Anne Kuhn and Dean Nyhart began as the co-chairs and provided the needed leadership during the design and excavation phases. John Ellis (JF Ellis Corporation Construction) took over as committee chair during the construction phase providing experience and expertise to the process. While these neighbors as well as the three board members (Jamal, Kelly, and Mary) have made every effort to communicate directly and effectively with all neighbors, the most effective means of having your voice heard is by attending the meetings and participating in the process.
Q: How much money has been raised?
A: Thanks to the efforts of the fund-raising arm of the committee, we have raised over $80,000. This includes a $12,000 grant from the city to pay for the letters. Over 127 homes have contributed anywhere from $50 to $1500. That is around 70% participation in contributions throughout the neighborhood. We didn’t expect that all would be able to contribute and are thrilled with the turnout to date. Thanks to all of those who are willing to make a financial commitment to their neighborhood.
Q:
How much did we expect to pay?
A: We said in the
beginning this was going to cost anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000.
Fortunately some generous neighbors were willing to donate their professional
expertise. We want to thank Mary Anne Kuhn for creating the design, John Ellis
of JF Ellis Corporation for providing the equipment during the excavation, Dan
Croyle of First Cut for doing all of the demolition, Ernie Henes of Henes
Construction for providing the fences, and Jamal Allen for his legal expertise.
These folks have saved us tens of thousands of dollars.
A: While we’re still waiting to receive all bids for the repair, re-stucco, and repaint of the walls along Warner and McClintock, it appears we currently have enough to complete signs and walls (Phases I and II). We have one bid from Creative Environments for a little over $30,000 for the landscaping which the committee is reviewing. We are also hoping to have at least $5,000 left over to cover any additional costs that will come up over the next few years as we don’t really want to keep asking for money every year.
A: We hope all feel comfortable attending and participating in the Committee Meetings held at 9320 S. Lakeshore Dr. every other Thursday (Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18). If you have professional expertise in landscaping or have connections with local nurseries for discounts on plants and shrubs we could use your help. Anyone wishing to make additional contributions for landscaping is welcome to do so at any time. We will be formally asking for contributions as soon as we have a solid idea of the scope of the plan and costs. Checks should be made out to CDSENA and sent c/o Mary Wolf-Francis at 9320 S. Lakeshore Dr.