The cold weather has delayed construction efforts at a former Reading outlet center building, which was ravaged by fire.
Mother nature has not been kind to the construction crews working to repair the millions of dollars in damage at North Eighth and Oley streets.
The sixth floor is glazed over in ice. On Monday, workers chipped away to prevent even more water damage to the rest of the building.
"By getting the ice out before it turns back into water, hopefully, we'll be able to salvage those floors in time, and during rebuilding this summer they wont warp," said Alan Shuman, president of Shuman Development Group, who added he is still working with the insurance company.
It took two months to replace the roof deck and structural columns, but it's been too cold to get the roof membrane put on to keep the rain and snow out. Shuman hopes that can happen this week. Then, damaged floors need to be replaced.
"We're going to have to try to really squeeze a lot into March and April," said Shuman.
A massive fire ravaged the building on Oct. 18. The Reading fire marshal called in the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which concluded it was arson.
Shuman was in the middle of renovations at the time of the fire. He was converting the building into apartments and commercial space. Ever since, security has been increased and Shuman said he hopes people can move in by the fall.
"We're looking at the end of September, or maybe because of how cold it was in February, it might have got pushed back to the middle of October," said Shuman.
A reward to catch the arsonist has grown to $110,000. Officials said they hope the money entices someone to come forward. The number to call with information is 888-ATF-FIRE.
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