FAQs on the renovation work
What is your goal?
To keep New York Aikikai as the center of aikido in the United States for generations to come.
Is this all about the NYC Department of Buildings coming after us?
Several years ago we were cited with improper zoning. While the NYC Department of Buildings is requiring some of the work to be done, this work must be done for the long-term future of the dojo.
What projects are we undertaking?
Our initial goal will accomplish the following.
Fire Protection (sprinkler) system
Replace the wooden easterly staircase with a new steel staircase and extend it to the roof as a code compliant (wider and fire proof) second means of egress to and from the 2nd and 3rd floors
All bathrooms and showers to be made ADA compliant. This necessitates new plumbing and reframing both men and women’s changing rooms. Women’s changing room to be enlarged; laundry room moved to 3rd floor uchi deshi unit
All living spaces (3rd floor) to have legal light and air, requiring the windows and mechanical ventilation
Third floor uchi deshi quarters to have required full ADA compliant bathroom (currently there is a non-ADA compliant half bath)
NYC mandated back-flow preventer to be installed.
Second and third floor roofs to be replaced. Asbestos abatement required
All new electric distribution
Plumbing lines, including storm water and waste lines to be replaced
New boiler for heat, relocated electric hot water heaters to basement
New insulation, caulking and sealing existing windows and openings for energy efficiencies
Repair mechanical room (basement) collapsing ceiling
All lighting to be energy efficient LED and or fluorescent
New sound proofing and vibration damping below mats to reduce noise and damage to first floor unit
If we are able to raise the necessary funds for this work, then we will raise funds through stretch goals for an HVAC system, viewing window to see mat from new lounge area, new mats in enlarged area, and security system including video capacity on the mat.
When will we start construction?
As soon as we have the funds. All drawings have been approved and permits have been pulled and we are ready to go.
How long will construction take?
We anticipate beginning construction in early 2024. Construction will take approximately 18 months. First we will do initial renovations on the third floor so that the deshi quarters will serve as changing rooms. Then we will renovate the second floor changing rooms and reception area. After that, we will need to close the mat down for two weeks and are anticipating doing that sometime in August 2024, utilizing the time of USAF summer camp when classes are small.
Who is managing this project?
The entire board is hands on with this project. In particular, David Katz and Junya Nakatsugawa, are overseeing the project with Jay Tall, our general contractor. Jay serves on the Board of Aikido of Park Slope and is business partners with Sensei Hal Lehrman. As real estate developers, Hal and Jay have built dozens of properties throughout Brooklyn. Jay is also dojo cho at Aikido Schools of New Jersey.
