The Ruppe Block, on Fifth Street, in Calumet, has been the focus of extensive stabilization work over the past year. Further work, however, is temporarily on hold due to lack of funding. (Photo courtesy of Keweenaw Community Foundation)

CALUMET — The revitalization of the Ruppe Building, located at 211-213 5th Street in Fifth Street, has been the focus of stabilization for over a year.

The rear of the building has suffered extensive damage from years of water infiltration due to a failing roof. Other issues include structural failures in at least 11 beams supporting the second and third floors; a collapsed mezzanine in the rear; and significant water damage affecting over one-third of the structure. The mezzanine is a small floor built between two main floors.

Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance said while the building has been prevented from collapsing, additional work is required, which includes stabilizing the interior area where the mezzanine collapsed.

“We have to remove the collapsed mezzanine under a 35-foot span, or area,” he said, “and a pretty much not well supported third floor.”

The issue, he said, is compounded by the wood floor of the mezzanine had nine by nine-inch tiles that contain asbestos. While that does not require an asbestos contractor, said Ratcliffe, the contractor hired must have a minimum of eight hours of training in properly handling asbestos. There is also a small amount of asbestos in the basement of the structure.

“When you support – when you put the shoring in,” Ratcliffe said, “you start in the basement and work up, so you stay on top of your (support) posts, transferring the weight from the highest to the lowest point.”

Currently, he said, supports from the middle of the basement to the mezzanine have been shored up. Another line of shoring has been completed on the north side of the building. Large areas of the interior have been cleaned out to make room for final shoring.

Other stabilization work has included covering the 4,400 square-foot roof with silicone, screened ventilation on the second and third floors, to improve airflow and reduce moisture accumulation, all of which has been done for about $50,000.

Further efforts to save the building have been temporarily placed on hold, however, due to lack of funding.

“We’ve got to raise about $150,000,” said Ratcliffe. “But the upside is we’ve got it stabilized.”

Although the roof have been given a silicone membrane, he said, that is only a quick fix. The roof has several layers of rolled roofing, one atop another, he said.

“It had tarps on it,” he said. “So, our contractor, Superior Polymer, took the tarps on the front half; they sealed up the top of the cornice, because that was open, and they laid down rolled silicone sealer.”

Part of the goal of the Bring Back Calumet Initiative is preserving the fabric of the village, of which the Ruppe Block is an important aspect. It was one of the first buildings constructed after a fire in 1870 destroyed most of the village. The building also reflects the village’s role in America’s industrial growth during the copper mining era.  Its rich architecture, the facade and ornate metal cornice, are examples of past mining wealth.

“It’s the building’s facade,” said Ratcliffe, “ultimately it’s the facade we’re trying to save, because it’s a big facade, and it’s terracotta. It’s in very good shape.”