Channel Street Project Update: 3/29/08

Everybody has been anticipating and preparing for the latest round of Channel Street improvements. Lots of prep time has been going into the site, and a pour was scheduled for this past Saturday. Luckily, I was able to move some committment around and get myself down there with every intention of getting my hands dirty.

I showed up in the morning around 7:30 for an 8 o' clock pour time, only to find the truck already grumbling in the parking lot. The crew was chomping at the bit, and it looked like they area was completely ready to accept the mixture from the belly of the beastWithin no time, the mud began to flow and the boys scrambled around like seasoned veterans with eyes on the prize. Here, Yamo starts scooping out a hip into the new deck-top quarterpipe. Idaho Aaron was in attendance, lending his construction expertise and all-around bad ass demeanor to the excercise. It might be me, but it seems like this guy has some type of experience with underground skate facility construction. Just a hunch... My man Lync was in the zone. He hung around the top area most of the time, making sure the upper quarterpipe and surrounding area got all the attention it needed. Here he is in a quiet, introspective moment of edging the coping grout line.

Rob, Bob (the concrete supply guy) and Fudge contemplate the mudslide in the lower bowl quadrant. This was a total freestyle section, and the results by the end of the day were amazing.

Yamo, Andy and Gabe were the senior builders who traded out on babysitting the greener guys on the crew (that would be me, Dereck, Tyler and Lorenzo) as we did our best to finish out the giant hip near the bottom. We moulded Coping into Nope-ing with a smooth finish on the top desk. Hopefully this area will be seeing some of the highest airs possible at Channel Street once the section is complete. Here Andy puts the finishing touches on a giant, concrete meatloaf.

A man of few words, Ben Butler lets his actions speak volumes as he polishes out the beautiful Q.P. on the deck.

Gabe and Lorenzo consult the plans before carefully laying out a new bowl corner. Yeah right... that's actually a VOX poster. If anyone showed up in the park with plans, I'm sure that they would find their way into the nearest garbage can.

Alex Lilly showed up and completely blew the doors off with this improvised H.R. Geiger looking bio-mechanical coping sculpture. Unbelievable. Check out the link to Alex's art page at the bottom of this thread. You will not be disappointed.

Alex again, applying the hardener to his finished product. Gives new meaning to the word spine...

Rob puts some love into the freestyled hip.

After a long and productive day, some of the guys inspect the damage.

Logs protect the new investment. Stay off!

Yamo take a well deserved siesta as the afternoon winds down.

Weapons of Mass Construction

Power to the Posters. Pedro Power. Black Power. Unity and Solidarity. Skate or Die. Alex and Rob salute before Alex disappears into the sunset. Rob offered him a ride to the studio he is currently residing at, and he actually said, after a twelve hour work day, "Nah... I kind of feel like walking." That's pretty fucking punk if you ask me. Whats a few miles when you're wandering the globe, right?

The Channel Street Story: http://www.sanpedroskateparkassociation.org/Channel_Street/San_Pedro_Skatepark_Association.html

Alex Lilly: http://www.zeroriotcop.blogspot.com/

Just Do It...