| Eight companies submitted bids to carry out repair work on the
Subotica. Synagogue.
The intent was to use the amount of money available to carry out
the most urgent repairs needed in order to stabilize the roof and
prevent leaks and the further progressive destruction of the attic
walls. Furthermore, the aim was to protect all doors and windows from
potential intruders, who have caused significant damage in the past
by breaking into the building, destroying terracotta elements and
lighting fires inside the synagogue -- which could have caused enormous
damage.
The contract was awarded in November 2001 to Integral-inzenjering
from Subotica, whose offer was judged to be the best. Its labor costs
were the lowest, and Integral-inzenjering also was authorized to carry
out restoration work on protected buildings. The total amount for
the work contracted was 700,000 dinars (11,666 Euro), taxes included.
SZR ”Atlas” from Palic and the engineer Laslo Kiralj were
contracted to inspect and manage the building site.
Work in 2001
Work began on November 12th, 2001, four days after the contract
was signed, and, as stipulated in the contract, after 500,000 DIN
(8,333 Euro) was paid in advance. Progress reports were delivered
every 15 days.
Beginning on the ground floor and working up, the work included:
- The repair of doors that had begun to fall out of their frames.
The doorframes were temporarily cemented and reinforced with steel
bands.
- Protection of windows. The wire nets protecting the windows were
replaced with galvanized wire nets of same density. Window frames
were repaired and coated with protective silver paint, the same
color as the galvanized wire. Broken stained glass elements were
replaced temporarily with plain glass.
- Steps. Temporary foundations were built for damaged or destroyed
stone steps at the entrance to the synagogue and leading to the
ark.
- Roof leaks above entrance. There were big leaks above the main
entrance, due to largescale damage to the roof and front wall. The
roof, tin coverings and gutters were fixed. The large front wall
was temporarily plastered and the innernal surfaces cemented.
- Gutter replacement. All but one of the vertical gutters on the
ground floor had been damaged or stolen. New molded metal caps and
downspouts were installed and connected to the drainage system.
Downspouts on the central dome, which had also been destroyed, were
installed.
- Roof leaks above stairs. Roof leaks above the stairs and the main
load-bearing structure itself were fixed and the rotten wooden elements
replaced. Plastering was not done due to cold weather.
- Central Dome inspection and repair. During a detailed examination,
the structure supporting the central dome was found to be in very
poor condition. One of the eight main supporting columns was rotten
at the top and broken due to overload. There was a sag of approximately
5 cm at the part of the roof over this column. All damaged wooden
elements were replaced with new, dry and healthy construction. During
the installation of the new column, it was necessary to raise the
roof construction to its original height with hydraulic jacks. Steel
columns and elements left over from the reconstruction in 1981 were
also used. The new supporting column consists of wooden elements,
which had to be used due to the lack of adequate healthy timber
of such a large diameter. It was connected with steel rings, which
were additionally reinforced. The work was carried out between November
23rd and December 12th 2001. It proceeded without any problems and
was performed with quality.
- Attic repair. In the attic, above the entry gallery, the part
of the wooden structure supporting the roof was also found to be
rotten due to leakage. Because of the exceptionally complex roof
construction it was shord up from below, and the rotten timber construction
was replaced ath the extremely complex supporting joint. The connections
were also reinforced with steel rings. This work was carried out
between December 9th until December 12th 2001, without any problems.
- Tile replacement. Only the the lower parts of the roof were repaired,
while on the higher parts only the missing tiles were replaced.
Due to cold weather the work was halted on December 12th, 2001.
The total cost of the work performed in 2001 was 492,495.03 dinars
(8,208.25 Euro) including taxes. As per the contract, the contractor
was paid a total of 700.000,00 dinars by the end of 2001. The remaining
amount remained in escrow, to be used to cover work in the following
spring season.
Work in 2002
Due to a long, cold winter, work could only start on February 27th.
- Tiles. The remaining tiling work on steep mansard roofs was carried
out by securing the tiles with thin galvanized wire. On less steep
areas of the roof only the tile stacking and tile replacement was
performed.
- Walls, gutters, miscellaneous. During the stacking of tiles, all
the tops of the front walls were repaired. Tin staples on the front
walls were repaired and vertical gutters were temporarily repaired
with protective tape. All gutter connections to the downspouts were
checked and replaced where necessary. These were also replaced on
the northern façade, where moisture due to frost penetration had
destroyed the attic wall . Because of the long-term mistrreatment,
the attic walls were bare and the tin staples had fallen off. Plaster
between the bricks had also eroded or was even missing in some places.
All such sections of the attic walls were rebuilt and plastered
over. The inner areas of the walls above the roof cover were plastered
and protected. Larger portions of the attic walls were covered with
"condor mass" and smaller ones with "bitulit".
This is only a temporary measure because of the planned complete
reconstruction of the Synagogue. All downspouts around the structure
were repaired with new molded metal gutters. Stolen manhole coverings
were also replaced. A new wooden cover was installed above the water-meter.
The work was completed on April 17th, 2002.
| Inspector Laslo Kiralj |
Subotica, July 1st, 2002. |
The full list of bidders, and their bids, in Dinrs (1 Euro = 60 Din):
| |
Total |
Work |
Material |
| G.P Gradis |
735.888,0 |
471.978,00 |
263.910,00 |
| P.B.G. Inz. |
764.140,00 |
343.850,00 |
420.290,00 |
| Yumol |
821.922,00 |
552.138,00 |
420.290,00 |
| Monolit Gr. |
825.000,00 |
488.800,00 |
336.200,00 |
| Subiro |
848.900,00 |
558.250,00 |
290.650,00 |
| Integral |
852.808,00 |
330.150,00 |
552.658,00 |
| Exp. Servis |
906.550,00 |
506.550,00 |
400.000,00 |
| Panongrad |
1.013.055,00 |
693.020,00 |
320.035,00 |
|
