Author: Adam Zahller

  • Changing Temps, Exterior Doors, and Building Security

    Happy Friday Everyone,

    Facilities would like to call to your attention that as outside temperatures fluctuate, so do our buildings’ doors and doorframes. This can cause latches and door closers to behave unexpectedly. It’s commonplace for Facilities Managers to make lots of minor adjustments to door hardware during periods of temperature shift (the so-called “shoulder seasons”) so that doors keep closing and latching as they should. With the recent warm-up outside, we’re seeing some of this phenomenon.

    Given the ongoing need to prioritize building safety and security, we would like to remind you to take an extra couple of seconds when entering or exiting a building to make sure that the door has properly shut and latched behind you. We will do everything we can to keep our doors working smoothly, but they’re finnicky! It never hurts to double-check.

    Should you notice a recurring issue with any particular door, please report it via the MaintainX Facilities Request Portal.

    Thanks!

  • Sprinkler System Repairs

    We will be having some sprinkler system repairs done at the Opera Center today, Thursday 10/9. One valve will be replaced on the riser in the front stairwell, and some sprinkler heads will be replaced in the Wenger practice room suite. Our vendor will need to drain down some zones of the system, so there will be some water visible out front, and we may experience some discoloration and/or pressure variance in our domestic water supply in the building – this is normal, non-hazardous, and will clear up on its own once the system is back to normal.

    Our technician is scheduled to arrive around 11am. Work will last approx. 3 to 4 hours.

  • Early Morning Fire System Test Thurs 9/25

    While the timing may seem funny, what with our having just done a fire drill, our licensed vendor will be doing the official code-required annual test for the fire alarm system at the Opera Center tomorrow morning, Thursday 9/25. Should you happen to be in the building from c. 7:10-7:20am, you will be again treated to the fire alarm horn/strobes sounding. If you are present for this planned test, you will not be required to evacuate the building. Please keep in mind that the horns are very loud. I will be happy to provide some earplugs for you if you find me ahead-of-time! I’ll leave a box outside the Facilities Office before I leave the building today.

  • 2025-26 Season Bicycle and Scooter Storage

    As we gear up for another season, we’re rolling out a new policy for indoor bicycle/scooter storage at the Opera Center. We ask that those who wish to store their scooters and bikes indoors please do so within the new tape-markings in the Lower Level area under the Lobby stairs (where the coat racks and lounge chair used to be).

    In order to implement life-safety best-practices and remain compliant with fire code, we can no longer allow the storage of bikes/scooters in hallways or stairwells. Additionally, to preserve our flooring, walls, and building finishes, we will no longer allow bikes or scooter to be stored in carpeted areas such as offices or workstations.   

    We are hopeful that the new “Bike Zone” under the lobby stairs will be a workable option for everyone who stores their bike or scooter indoors during the workday. Should you ever have trouble finding space within the taped-off boundary, please contact Adam Zahller, who will help you find an acceptable alternate location.

    As you begin to use this space, please remain aware of the sprinkler heads underneath the stairs. Take care not to knock into them, as damage could cause significant flooding (!).

    Finally, a reminder that security against theft or tampering is never 100% guaranteed, even when storing your bike indoors. Wherever you are parked, we recommend that you lock or secure your bicycle/scooter in some fashion. When using the Bike Zone, which will not accommodate a rack, this probably means locking your bicycle wheels to your frame or taking your e-bike or scooter battery with you to your desk.

  • Elevator Back in Service

    The passenger elevator in the Opera Center is back in service! Feel free to use it!

    In the troubleshooting process, our technician identified a few small parts that are due for replacement. They are now on order. Once they come in, our tech will return to install them, which will necessitate a brief shutdown. We’ll inform you when that is set to take place. Meantime, our technician has cleared the elevator for use without restriction.

  • Elevator Update

    I am sorry to report that the passenger elevator for the Opera Center will remain down until further notice due to an issue with its control panel. We are hopeful that it can be operational again by midday tomorrow (Wednesday), but cannot yet be sure. Matt, our excellent technician from MEI, will be back in the morning with some replacement parts to install, and we’ll see where things go from there.

    We’ll keep you updated, and will do everything we can to help you navigate any challenges stemming from this outage. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or a specific problem to solve!

  • Norske Electric Onsite Tomorrow

    Brevik Tharaldson, a project manager for Norske Electric, will be walking through the Opera Center tomorrow mid-morning looking at light fixtures in anticipation of an upcoming upgrade project. Much like the McGough assessment effort a few months ago, Facilities will accompany him through much of his visit, but there may be some time when he is walking through on his own, as well.

    We’re very excited for the work he is planning for us – lighting upgrades throughout the Opera Center, fully reimbursed by an Xcel Energy initiative! (more on this forthcoming) – so please make sure he feels appreciated and welcome!

  • Opera Center Elevator Down – Day Two

    Despite our vendor giving us the all-clear to put it back into operation yesterday, the passenger elevator at the Opera Center has decided to act up again. The elevator is currently out-of-service until further notice.

    A technician is on the way to continue the troubleshooting effort. As always, we’ll keep you updated as things progress, and we welcome your questions.

  • Opera Center Elevator Down

    The passenger elevator for the Opera Center is currently out of service do to an operational malfunction. A technician from Minnesota Elevators Inc. is already onsite troubleshooting the issue. At this time, we do not have an estimate for when elevator service will be restored, but we will keep you posted as the situation develops.

  • Safety and Compliance Review

    Our partners from the Minnesota Safety Council will be onsite Tuesday 2/4 and Wednesday 2/5, helping us to evaluate our buildings from a safety and compliance perspective. Adam will be accompanying them through all areas of the Opera Center, Luminary, and Warehouse over this two-day visit. They will be taking detailed notes on each space, using those notes to research relevant codes and standards on our behalf, and then preparing a report for us letting us know both what we’re already getting right and some ways we might make improvements.

    This is a separate effort from the McGough evaluation, but will go hand-in-hand with it. It will also harmonize nicely with the work of our in-house Safety Committee. We’re grateful and excited to have the MSC as new partners in our good work! 

    We’ll be paying close attention to the callboard/daily calendars as I bring folks through our campus. Feel free to drop us a line of there’s anything going on in your spaces of which I should be aware.

    Thanks, as always, for your cooperation and support!