Security & facility improvements at the Jewish Federation

Those who have been to the Federation in the last year or two will surely have noticed our effort to revitalize and beautify our campus. Clean, fresh landscaping and fighting back the overgrowth and weeds have brought beauty back to our campus. We now have turned our attention to the Federation building. Our building has had some substantial mechanical and security improvements in the past few months. Most of the work wouldn’t be visible unless you were here while the work was being done.

During the winter, work began for the security grant that we received in 2021. Windows were reinforced with shatter-resistant film. Additional cameras and lighting were installed inside and around our building and surrounding campus. We’ve also improved our system that allows access to the building. Perhaps, the most visible security upgrade (and most exciting to me) is an entirely new front security gate. By the time you read this, we should have or will soon have a new security gate. This new gate will be more secure and more reliable than the original. Please be patient as we create new security protocols for the Federation campus. Our goal is to make the Federation a safe place for all that come here.

Regarding mechanical improvements, our building has reached an age where its original equipment has started to fail. We’ve been discussing our roof and HVAC for a couple of years, knowing we were on borrowed time with them. With leaks becoming more prevalent and sections of the building not being able to be heated or cooled properly, the decision was made to make some capital improvements.

We used a younger company out of Goshen, Southwest Commercial Roofing, for the roof. They provided good work, good customer service, and a reasonable price. All of our roofs were redone. With additional insulation and a different type of coating, our roof should give us better results and a longer lifespan than the original.

If you were in the building during May, you may have noticed work being done in our hallways. The Federation’s heating and air conditioning system is comprised of 12 separate units. Two of those units were replaced a few years ago. Out of the remaining ten units, a couple didn’t work at all, a few only worked for heat, and all were past their life expectancy. Those ten units have been replaced. We now have a reliable, energy-efficient HVAC system, just in time for our hot and humid Midwest summer.

We again also have an active facilities committee focusing on maintaining and improving our campus. All of these updates and repairs are to keep our facility and campus a solid, beautiful, and safe place for our community to gather. Please come and share in our community center.

Dan Cossman
Operations Manager
574-233-1164 x1801
DCossman@TheJewishFed.org