Earth Day Celebrating 50 Years Today!

Earth Day 2020 is a milestone moment and, also about the enormous challenge we face. There are incredible and vast opportunities to have an impact on our planet and on climate change. EarthDay.Org, has distinguished climate change as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.
Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

Earth Day’s Beginning

The first Earth Day was a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire, smog deforestation. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans, or roughly 10% of the entire U.S. population at the time, took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance. But they wanted more, demanding a new way forward for our planet.

Social Impact Into Laws

The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Also it was the planet’s largest civic event! The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws.

While the coronavirus may force us to keep our distance, it should not force us to keep our voices down. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward. While Earth Day may be going digital due to the CoronaVirus, EarthDay.Org’s goal remains the same: To mobilize the world to take the necessary actions to make a difference. We may be apart, but through the power of digital media, we’re also more connected than ever.

Learn What You Can Do

Today, go to: EarthDay.Org, where you’ll find hours of action in global digital content that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet.
From the Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal family to yours, be safe and stay healthy.

Renovating the First Baptist Church

Renovate, commercial, historic, renovation, Kansas City, First Baptist ChurchLocated on West Truman Road, the First Baptist Church of Independence, which has undergone renovating, traces its roots back over 120 years to 1896. As such, the church has been a part of American history and is listed on the Historic Registry.

Queen City of the Trails

Independence Missouri was the declared the starting point for the Oregon Trail by no less than an act of Congress! The City of Independence is still considered the “Queen City of the Trails” as it was a point of departure for the California, Oregon and Santa Fe Trails.

Decades later, it was into this bustling city that The First Baptist Church of Independence was established.

The Trumans

President Harry S. Truman and his wife, First Lady Bess Truman grew up and are buried in their beloved city, Independence. Their home and The Truman Library are both popular tourist attractions.

A Rebirth

Built well after the Civil War, the church has endured over 120 years of Missouri weather.

Renovating

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal was hired for renovation of the church roofs and steeple, bringing them back into shape after many years of wear and tear.

As the images show, the finished look of the renovated roofing system and steeple give the church a fresh new look.

The attached short video shows a Cornell team member putting the finishing touches to the steeple and gives a birds-eye view of the beautiful new roofs.

The renovating of the church also includes the restoration from inside and out. These efforts culminated in the recent 1896 Building Restoration Benefit Concert to restore the worship sanctuary.

Cornell Roofing is proud to have played a part to help bring back the First Baptist Church of Independence to its original glory. For more information on the church, you can visit their site at: www.fbcindep.org

 

Re-roofing City Hall – Cornell Roofing

Commercial roofing, commercial roofers, KCC roofing, Kansas City Roofers, KCChambersThe challenge:

Facing the re-roofing of City Hall in Kansas City. The building opened at a cost of around six-million dollars. This was 30% over budget, but hey, these were the Pendergast years. Such spending was not uncommon given the 30 million-dollar bond package that was pushed through with many cries of tampering and fraud. This funded City Hall, Municipal Auditorium and numerous additional projects at the time.

At 30 stories and 443 feet, KC’s City Hall is the third largest building in the city. It is also still one of the tallest city halls in the nation. When it was completed in 1937, it was the tallest building in the state. The sheer height created some special challenges Commercial roofing, commercial roofers, KCC roofing, Kansas City Roofers, KCChambersfor Cornell Roofing. From both safety and equipment standpoints, our team was up to the challenge!

Iconic Architecture:

Neoclassic architecture with incredible interior and exterior art deco details and imported stone from around the world, made the building one of the most beautiful to this day. The story of the development of the city’s third city hall (the first two were in what is now the River Market), is still impressive to this day, leaving many first-time visitors in awe.

In order to accomplish the task of re-roofing City Hall, Cornell brought in one of the largest cranes in the Midwest. And, we’re not talking about any regular crane. Weighing in at 550 tons, The Blue Hat Crane’s impressive reach allowed the Cornell team to reach the 443 foot roof with height to spare. This allowed our team to safely bring materials up and debris down in order for safety during the process of re-roofing City Hall.

When not in operation, it covered almost the entire South side of the building, along with one lane of Locust street.

The Nitty Gritty:

The assembly of the crane was captured in the video below. Taken from the roof and set to fast motion, it is hard to tell what you are looking at. From this vantage point, men appear to scurry back and forth.  In a little over one minute, you can see the day passing while the re-roofing of City Hall was underway. Look close and you can also see a crane we needed just to assemble this beast! A day-long effort just to prepare for the job ahead.

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal is proud to play a part in maintaining one of Kansas City’s true architectural masterpieces.

 

 

 

Safety on the Job At Cornell

 

Safety on the job site is a must when you are hundreds of feet in the air. Roofers and team members, each with his or her own job to do to, move past one another. Roofing equipment and supplies are also in the mix on the job site. Today, job site safety is a team effort and it all starts with a mindset: No one gets hurt today.

Different job sites present different challenges. At Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, safety planning is part of every job’s roofing process.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), sets Standards, Guidelines and Regulations all employers and employees must follow to help keep their employees safe.

At Cornell, our team members and roofers take classes and maintain study habits to stay informed and up to date on their certifications. OHSA has 10 and 30-Hour Certification programs. Annually, OSHA also ranks it’s most violated OSHA Standards. Year after year, Fall Protection is the number #1 OSHA Standard cited.Roofers, roofing material, metal roof, Kansas City roofing, roofing safety, safety regulations, commercial roofing, roofing system, fabrication, Cornell safety, osha, osha roofers, roof systems

Mary McNamara, President of Cornell commented, “At Cornell we continue to invest the time, training, certification support, and equipment needed to keep our people safe.” Cornell just added the “All-In-One Rail System” from Leading Edge Safety. This job site addition adds to our employees safety on the job site.

Mary added, “We are proud of our team. Working together, we’ve had one of our safest years on record.” Some construction fencing was added to help keep debris from blowing off the roof.

For the FULL LIST of Construction Industry Regulations(Standards) visit the OSHA laws and regulations page.

 

One look through the OSHA Standard Number 1926 and you’ll see just how important and serious staying on top of the regulations are for the safety and comfort of roofers and other employees in the construction industry.

To the entire Cornell Family, other trades and suppliers, keep up the great work and stay safe on your job sites!

EXPO EXTRA! Take Home This 55″ 4K Smart TV TOMORROW!

Kansas City Commercial Roofing

 

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal wants to give YOU a brand-new TV at The Builders’ EXPO.  Just stop by booth #70, drop in a card and you could walk out with the perfect addition to the favorite place in your home. Remodel not included!

Winter Weather Can Wreak Havoc on Commercial Roofs!

rust affecting the roofing structure

With this winter’s melting snow and ice, pooling water and now record setting low temperatures, just like your own home, commercial roofing systems need to be inspected for upkeep and maintenance. To stay one step ahead of Mother Nature, (or play a little catch-up!) checking on your commercial roofing system should include roof inspections to check for minor repairs at least twice a year. Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal offers commercial roof inspections with records and photos of each inspection for the building owner to have and review. If necessary, we can also create a customized Roof Maintenance Program to help in early detection of potential problems, helping to extend the life of your commercial roofing system.

Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to help you maintain the integrity of your commercial roof system!

 

Snow, ice, bitter cold and corrosion, a damaging combination

hole in roofing system due to weather standing water on roofing system

 

Cornell Roofing News Flash: Win a 55” TV at The Builder’s Association EXPO!

kansas city commercial roofing, kansas city custom sheet metalStop by Booth 60 at The Builder’s Association EXPO, drop a card and WIN! Grand Prize will be a 55” INSIGNIA TV! The Perfect addition to any Man Cave, Family Room or Covered Patio!

Cornell is proud to continue as a Major Sponsor of this important Construction Industry Event. ”We Commercial roofing in kansas city with custom sheet metalalways enjoy the Builder’s Association Expo because it lets us take a break and just spend some time with old friends and make some new ones.” Said Mary McNamara, Owner and President of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal.

 

The Builder’s Association is constantly looking to provide innovative new programs and educational opportunities for seasoned professionals as well as the next generation of the building trade.Young commercial roofers in kansas city

So, we hope to see you on the 18th at Bartle Hall! GOOD LUCK on the drawing!

Mary McNamara Joins Other Kansas City Women Business Leaders as Panelists at WBDC’s 2018 Connect & Celebrate Event!

Mary McNamara Joins Other Kansas City Women Business Leaders as Panelists at WBDC’s 2018 Connect & Celebrate Event!

A packed house enjoyed networking and listening to the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), panelists discuss “Leaders Learning from Leaders: How the Current Economy is Impacting Procurement Trends.”

 

Joining Mary, President of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal,  as WBE Panelists was Denise Kruse, Owner/CEO, AdamsGabbert. Corporate panelists included: Gena Fitzgerald, Global Procurement Director, Hallmark Cards, Inc; Elizabeth Stoltz, Director, Supply Chain, KCP&L and Westar, Energy Companies; and Christine (Chris) Kelly, Administrative Coordinator, Supplier Diversity, Metropolitan Community College.

The panel was moderated by Maria Jenks, VP, Supply Chain KCP&L and Westar Energy companies who presented some impressive statistics on women’s entrepreneurship which has been on the rise for the last two decades.  As of January 2017, there were approximately 11.6 million women-owned businesses in the United States employing nearly nine million people and generating more than $1.7 trillion in revenues.

Mary shared some of her growth and relationship building strategies which mirror Cornell’s Mission and Vision as to the importance of always delivering on your promises. Mary also shared some stories of her personal experiences working in, owning and growing a business in a male dominated industry.

As the panel discussion wound up and the networking began, Mayor Sly James made a surprise visit and addressed the attendees with his thoughts on the important roles diversity and inclusion have had, and continue to play in Kansas City’s growing economy.

Cornell Commercial Roofing Named to SIKA Partners Club

In recognition of Cornell Roofing’s quality installation, technical competency and excellent performance history, Sika Corporation just Awarded Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal its 2018 Alliance Member Partners Club Award.

Commercial Roofing Kansas City Award”We are always appreciative of recognition,” said Mary McNamara, President of Cornell. Mary added, “That is especially true when it comes from those companies in the trade such as Sika Corporation.” Mary added.

Whether it’s a repair or re-roof on an existing building or commercial roofing and sheet metal on new structures, Cornell continues its mission to deliver the highest quality roofing and sheet metal projects in the greater Kansas City area.

”Our customers are number one but without the support of manufacturers like Sika and the quality products they produce, we would have a hard time delivering on our promises,” added Lenny Austin, VP of Roofing Operations. Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal proudly stands behind its work. Lenny added, “Promises Made. Promises Kept. Since 1927. is more than just a tagline to us, it is our approach to every job we do.”

Let us know how we might help your organization maintain one of the most important components of your commercial building, its roof.