28 x 34 Dedicated to My Dad

[Marcm157]

After a 6 month delay and a failed variance attempt to build beyond the current 15 foot height restriction I have obtained a permit and have begun the build of my 28W x 34D x 15H shop / garage. I’m getting a very late start for New York but if everything goes right I should be able to at least get framed and wrapped before the dead of winter sets in. Siding will have to wait for spring.

Building is about 150 feet behind my house and I am planning a 100 amp sub-panel for electric. I will not have plumbing but considering the dense woods directly behind the shop this shouldn’t be an issue. I plan to heat with wood and supplement with a propane based ceiling mounted heater.

The main purpose of the build is going to be as a shop to complete a full restoration of a 1954 Ford Sunliner. My dad bought the car new and I have loved it since I was a kid. He and I did many projects over the years but we always worked out of his cramped and undersized garage or in a rented space.

It was always his dream for us to have a custom built shop to work out of. Since he passed away almost 2 years ago, I am dedicating this build to his memory and in his honor. We were best friends and I even followed him in my chosen law enforcement career. I was honored to work for the NYPD with him for 2 of my 27 years (after he left the NY State Police) before he retired and to wear his shield throughout the rest of my career.

My Dad in I believe 1958

I am using the maximum space available to me given all the municipal restraints and like many have said I wish I could go bigger but will make the best use of the space I will have.

I had to do quite a bit of clearing to get the spot I chose workable and had a few setbacks including blowing 2 hydraulic lines on my mini excavator trying to pull “Stumps”. Yeah, I know I could have cut them lower but you know how that goes. Between the large rocks and huge trees my machine took a beating.

The weather has been awesome and I have made considerable progress.

Footings were dug and poured -

Walls were poured today - with drama as the chute from the mixer collapsed dumping about 3 yards of concrete where I wanted it least! Managed to save most of the 7 yards left of the load though - More to come...

 

[crkleve]

Very respectful way to 'Honor' your Dad. Looks like things are progressing well. Thanks to both you and your Dad for your service in the Police Force! GOD Bless!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow, that is an awesome gesture to honour your Dad in that way.

I will be looking forward to following your progress.

Regards

 

[dlcwent]

I'm interested if you were able to get the walls up before bad weather set in? Are you going to give us an update on any progress?

As others have said, this is a awesome way to honor your dad. I lost mine in 1998 and there isn't too many days that I don't think of him.

 

[Bib Overalls]

I don't know how much of a variance you were looking for but from the pictures it does not look like there are any other structures close by for it to tower over. Did you consider a traditional barn roof? They look more at home in semi-rural neighborhoods and you might have been able to swing it that way.

Never had much to do with the first responder community when I was working. Now that I am retired I seem to associate with a lot of both working and retired police and firefighters. They are great guys and gals for the most part doing a risky and thankless job for the rest of us. I make a point of thanking them for the job they (and you) do or did for the rest of us. So, while I have the opportunity I want to thank both you and your Dad for choosing a career in law enforcement. You made a difference that we all appreciate.