Monastery in Wakesha could re-bid project

Daily Reporter (Milwaukee), Sep 3, 2008 by Sean Ryan

The Rev. Gregory Fruehirth said he hopes Julian House monastery can get a contractor hired in time to button up a building addition before winter winds begin to blow.

The Order of Julian of Norwich, named after the 14th century author of "Revelations of Divine Love," collected bids for an expansion to Julian House in Waukesha on July 24. The state sent project architect Groth Design Group Inc., Cedarburg, a letter on July 15 saying project plans didn't comply with regulations for fire- protection and accessibility for people with disabilities.

The order rejected all of the bids it received.

The order then modified plans for the 3,400-square-foot addition in mid-August. It is awaiting Department of Commerce approval for the revised design, but may re-bid the project before receiving an official stamp of approval, Fruehirth said. He would not speculate as to whether the project will be doable within budget -- saying, "You never know what might happen."

He would not confirm the amount of the budget.

The project is on hold until the Department of Commerce's Safety and Buildings Division receives the revised plans, said department spokesman Tony Hozeny.

Groth designed a sprinkler system for the addition, which will provide four rooms for the order's older members, Fruehirth said. Groth also had to move a doorway to make space for a wheelchair lift and design improvements to the existing Julian House building in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Project Architect Mark McClintock didn't want to discuss the details of the state regulations that prompted the project redesign since the state hasn't approved plans yet. He said he hopes to get specs out for re-bid within two weeks.

"We've stumbled upon some shady areas of the code," he said.

Fruehirth said that, despite the mid-bid hiccup, he has no complaints about Groth's performance on the project.

"I wouldn't even want to go there," he said when asked about repercussions. "I'm completely happy with Groth. They've done a great job."