Category: Facilities

  • Opera Center Security and Access Upgrades

    Your Facilities team is proud to share recent upgrades to our building’s security and access systems. We have made some changes that will make opening/closing the Opera Center more convenient, while also keeping the building more secure. (Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?). Full implementation of these upgrades begins Monday, August 24th, although many are in place already. Here’s what you need to know:

    • You will need your badge when at the Opera Center!
      • Phone app usually works too, but the badge is the sure bet!
    • You no longer need a key to get into the building – there is a new badge reader for the front doors.
      • Keys still work as backup
      • If you no longer want your physical key, I’ll be happy to collect yours and put it back into inventory. Otherwise, you’re welcome to hold onto it.
    • You no longer need to use the hex key to lock/unlock the front door crash bars.
    • You no longer need your security system PIN – disarm the system using the new badge readers mounted just below the Bosch keypads.
      • Use the same badge you use everywhere else
      • Phone works too, but is laggy. Badge works instantly.
    • You are no longer responsible for arming the security system when you leave!
      • System will arm automatically at midnight.
      • If in the building past midnight, you’ll have to disarm and rearm to leave.
    • You willneed your badge (or an active PIN) to get to Floor 2 and above on the elevator.
      • Floors G and LL will be accessible without a badge

    If you need a new badge, let me know – We’ll be happy to print you one.

    As always, let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your adaptability and cooperation!

  • Facilities Summer Projects

    Hi All,

    As promised, here is the written update from my all staff presentation.

    1. Front Door Badge Reader
      On Tuesday 6/9, we’re adding a badge reader to the front exterior double doors. All existing badges and phone access will be updated automatically to work. In the short term, please keep using the hex key as normal until further instruction.
    1. Virtual Directory
      In the next two weeks, we’ll be installing a wall mounted touch screen in the lobby that will display a virtual staff directory. This will connect the front door intercom to your desk phone and allow you to buzz in guests right from a phone call. If you would like to have a different device ring, please let me know.
    1. Elevators Modernization
      This is a refurbishment and partial replacement to the underlying systems and visual finishes of the elevators. We will also be adding a badge reader/pin code pad and security camera to improve overall building security.

      We will setup Jones as a temporary conference room, if you’d like to reserve it during the work window listed below, please reach out to Sarah at [email protected]. Bike Parking and charging will be temporarily available at the signed location in the scene shop.

      The elevator will NOT be available during the modernization, if you need an accommodation please reach out to your manager who can route those requests through me.

      Opera Center: June 15 – July 3
      Luminary: June 22 – July 10
    1. Luminary Stoop
      A repair to the finish of the stoop along the LAC windows will begin on June 22nd. Only a small section of the sidewalk will be affected, and foot traffic along 1st will not be impeded.

    We will keep you and the facilities website updated as we progress through this summer project season. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The facilities emergency number is 612-767-0544 and you can submit work requests 24/7 at https://callboard.mnopera.org/facilities-request/. Thanks in advance for your flexibility!

  • Potential Monday Impact

    If we do indeed get double digit inches of snow on Sunday, please prepare yourself for snow removal across campus, including in the parking lot and back alley, to take place into Monday and potentially Tuesday. A high impact storm with potential for high wind, will take a while to clean up.

    If you arrive to work and your parking space is inaccessible, please DO NOT park in another space in the lot. Utilize street parking or the neighboring pay lot. Save any receipts and submit for reimbursement.

    Please be safe and if you find an unsafe condition on campus report it to Facilities by calling 612-767-0544!

  • 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!

  • Elevator – Service Restored

    2:24p  Happy to report an easily repairable issue was identified and resolved. The elevator is back to normal operation now.

    Afternoon All,

                    Unfortunately, the elevator is operating inconsistently and therefore out of service. Our elevator vendor will be out today for repair, and I will keep you all updated.

    Thanks.

    -J

  • 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.

  • Opera Center Elevator – Service Restored

    The elevator is now fully operational. Thanks for your patience.

  • Opera Center Elevator – Out of Service

    Unfortunately, the passenger elevator at the opera center is out of service until a tech from MEI can come assess the current fault we are experiencing. We will keep you updated on a restore timeline.

    If you have any concerns please reach out to facilities at 612-767-0544 or [email protected].

  • 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.