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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Cornerstone, Lamp Posts, and the Ten Commandments

I happened upon a young man this morning risking life and limb in order to get a better look at the temple. 
Realizing I could take advantage of this situation, I handed him my camera.
He was delighted to help me out and was pleased at the view.
In the not too distant future, we will be strolling along these walks ourselves.
However, for today, we'll have to thank Sam Stapp for this new view.
For Sam's last photo, he aimed west to catch the line of fence posts.
With the camera back in my hands, I took this picture from the end of the line.
Of course it was a beautiful morning, but only 32 degrees.  Sam was comfortable in his t-shirt.
I was comfortable in my coat and gloves.
Welders have been installing new fence panels along Center Street.  
Of course you've already noticed the fleur de lis pattern.
Workmen were very busy along the Center Street sidewalk.
The concrete circle at University Avenue and Center Street has been completed.
Paving stones are cut to fit with exactness.
My camera spied this trim delivery going in the upper east gable window opening.
Although the scaffolding is off the towers, the lift on this side is too valuable to dismantle just yet.
Lots of things go in.
I see a lot of stuff coming out, too.
Many deliveries happen through the west underground entrance.  I asked if the oxen had arrived.
They haven't been seen yet.
No deliveries are happening through the south driveway.
The Ten Commandments monument has been returned to the site.
The monument used to be at the corner of University and Center.  This picture was taken during the excavation of Provo's original tabernacle three years ago.
For 30 years, this monument had rested at Provo's Memorial Park, 8 blocks east, but it was moved to the center of town in 2003 and remained there until the fall of 2012.
The monument now stands back on the grounds, where it can watch the landscaping spring up around it.
Work on the grounds is moving at a rapid pace.
This view from the construction cam shows new forms for planters ready for concrete.
If you recall, the purpose of the sandbags is to hold the forms in place.  Anything else could pierce the waterproofing layer, which would be counterproductive.
Something similar is about to happen on the south side.  The red ladder is trying to get out of the way.
The southeast tower entrance had some interesting features which were visible this morning.
The stairway side walls support pots which contain conduit.  Ultimately, there will be lights on these stair walls.
Two openings are in the watercourse on each side of the stairway, which is currently in slip and slide form.
I suspect this one, on the right, will be for the cornerstone.
With the scaffolding removed, the niches and windows at the northeast tower entrance looked stunning in the morning sun.
I was delighted to see this new light post near the fountain.  It seems to be just the right height.
He brought some tall friends with him.  They are spreading rapidly over the south lot.
The concrete pump got up early this morning to pour the walkway around the pavilion.
This man put finishing touches on the wet cement.
These men worked hard to complete the installation of the copper gutters.  This is very delicate and tricky work.
The restoration of the temple has been massive and delicate at the same time.
And beautiful.
It is thrilling to see these features which were hidden for so long behind the scaffolding.
Although one of the most beautiful additions to the temple was never hidden.
In the "Very Good News" department, spring is coming.
Don't let the snow on the mountains fool you.

2 comments:

Easy_Going_Dad said...

It would appear that the left and right molds on the north side will be planters, or maybe even just short walls for sitting, seeing how skinny they are. The large 'H' shaped center mold is most likely a footing for the stair system leading up to the door. I imagine we'll soon be seeing geofoam come in to help sculpt out the shape of the stairs there.

Julie Markham said...

I'm sure you know this will only be an emergency exit, so there have to be stairs. Thanks for your help, because this is foreign to me until it gets a little farther along, which I hope is soon.