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April 7, 2017

Mr. Carl Falotico

Corporation Counsel
City of Schenectady
105 Jay Street
Schenectady, NY 12305

RE: Nicholaus Building

266 State Street
Schenectady, New York
MJ Project No. 617.26
Structural Assessment Letter

Dear Mr. Falotico:

This letter report is intended to provide a supplement to MJs Structural Evaluation Report dated
December 21, 2016; MJs Structural Review of Survey Monitoring Results report dated March 20, 2017;
Ausfeld and Waldruff Land Surveyors LLP (A&W) survey monitoring measurements dated March 29,
2017 and your request for further clarification on the stability of the Building.

The City asked MJ for clarification whether the Building could collapse immediately. MJ responded that
based on the current condition of the structure and the displacement of the west wall (since June 2016) the
Building is a threat to collapse immediately. MJ is aware that the temporary shoring designed and
installed by the adjacent property owners engineer and contractor on April 4, 2016 was meant to
temporarily stabilize the building until a permanent stabilization solution could be developed. The
existing west foundation wall has been exposed with existing grade slightly above the bottom of the
existing foundation wall. This exposure leaves the foundation prone to frost action and settlement while
being exposed to environmental conditions such as snow, rain, ice and wind. The combination of the
exposed foundation with heavy loads from the temporary shoring could result in consolidation of the soil
to allow further destabilization and displacement of the west wall. In addition, A&Ws survey
measurements indicate that the Building has shifted to the west in time after the temporary shoring was
installed. The current condition of the Building leaves the west wall of the structure susceptible to further
destabilization.

The City asked MJ if it is safe to wait 7-10 days to address the stability of the Building given the
continued movement. MJ would not recommend waiting any given amount of time to address the
condition of the building. In consideration of the conditions stated above and the continued movement of
the Building immediate action should be taken to address the threat of collapse.

1533 Crescent Road New York, NY

.
Clifton Park, NY 12065 Schenectady, NY
Phone: 518.371.0799 Fax: 518.371.0822 Melville, NY
mjelspc@mjels.com Watertown, NY
www.mjels.com Sewell, NJ
 Mr. Carl Falotico
April 7, 2017
Page 2 of 2

DISCLAIMER

The opinions and recommendations expressed are based on the information provided to MJ. This
assessment does not address portions of the structure other than those areas mentioned, nor does it
provide any warranty, either expressed or implied, for any portion of the existing structure.

Please contact me at (518) 371-0799 to discuss any questions you have regarding this review.

Sincerely,

Christopher M. Dooley, P.E.

Senior Associate