PALACE
THEATER
Since
1977, the Lorain Palace Civic Center Committee has dedicated itself
to the restoration, preservation, and promotion of the Palace as a magnet
for audiences in Northern Ohio. as the new millennium began, M.W. Mielke,
Inc. was asked to convert their existing 1920’s heating system
from steam to a very unique 21st Century temperature controlled hot
water system.
The demolition started in May, 2002. All of the old piping had to be
removed and the massive boiler that once burned coal had to be cut into
sections so that it could be hauled out from the boiler room located
in the theater's basement. This was an arduous task involving the removal
of the demolished boiler sections, piece by piece, through the narrow
hallways and up the precariously steep-angled stairwells of this 75
year old building.
In the interest of maintaining it's historic appearance, 56 of the theater's
original steam radiators needed to be reconditioned. This reconditioning
included the installation of new computer controlled valves along with
new copper and steel pipe water distribution lines. Additionally, two
new sectional cast iron boilers consisting of more than 100 separate
pieces were built in place in the room where the old boiler once stood.
New pumps were also installed to circulate the hot water and a state-of-the-art
temperature control system was installed to carefully monitor and maintain
the comfort levels throughout the building. All of this was done without
disturbing the day to day operations of this historic working theater.
The over 2,700 man-hours worked by M.W. Mielke personnel represented
approximately 84% of the total involvement for the construction. The
company's focus was on the mechanical construction and overall supervision
of this project, which came to a close in November, 2002 – just
in time for one of the worst winters in the theater's history.
