Glistening again: Work wrapping up on Notre Dame's restoration of the Golden Dome

SOUTH BEND — The massive scaffolding that reached to the top of the Golden Dome earlier this summer is now coming down as work on the regilding and restoration of Notre Dame’s Main Building comes to a close in the coming weeks.

It wasn’t a job for those suffering from acrophobia.

While many get dizzy just looking at the photos that were taken from the top of the building, the work was considered a rare opportunity for those who were able to participate in the project or document the effort that got underway following commencement weekend at the end of May.

“It’s only the 12th time it’s been done since the building was constructed in 1883,” said Tony Polotto, senior director of construction and quality assurance for the university, who also oversaw the last regilding project in 2005. "I might possibly be the only person at Notre Dame who got to do it twice.”

Although the university aims to achieve 20 years between the restoration work on the Main Building, the longest it’s ever been able to wait is 18 years, Polotto said, pointing out how snow, ice, wind erosion, UV light and even bird droppings are among some of the environmental factors that take a toll on the entire structure.

Luckily, Polotto was able to draw on his experience to take on the task. So too was senior university photographer Matt Cashore.

"I also photographed a bit of the 2005 regilding, making me one of a handful of people who've had the twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand next to the Mary statue," Cashore said via email.

Planning for the project got underway about a year ago, and the university utilized most of the same subcontractors that performed the work in 2005, Polotto said, adding that at least two subcontractors’ employees also participated in the last restoration.

“Every one of these contractors are specialized in their trades,” he said. “You don’t use a house painter for a project like this. We use an industrial painter that works on bridges and other structures that are subjected to lots of extremes.”

And the price for the coatings they use cost as much as $600 per gallon because the university is aiming for long-term protection, rather than looking to cut any corners on cost, Polotto said.

Although the statue of the Virgin Mary doesn’t appear so large when you’re standing about 200 feet below, it’s actually 18 feet tall ― including the base ― and weighs 4,400 pounds because it’s made of cast iron. The top of Mary's head stands 206 feet above the ground.

“I was struck by the beauty of the statue up close,” said university photographer Barbara Johnston, who made the climb to the top of the building about twice a week lugging 10 to 15 pounds of photo equipment in a backpack.

“It’s historic,” she said, recognizing that the photos she took will become part of the university’s record. “It probably won’t be done for another 18 years.”

And both Polotto and Johnston realize they likely won’t have the physical ability to make the climb to the top of the building, even if they’re still working at Notre Dame in some capacity when it’s time for the next restoration.

“I’m in pretty good shape, and I still had to take a couple of breaks,” Johnston said.

As a photographer, Johnston was aiming to document the work of the craftsmen and the stunning ― though dizzying ― view at the top of the Golden Dome. Polotto made the climb at least three times a week to check on the progress and put his eyes on problems that workers might be encountering.

Much of the work started at the top and moved downward.

After the statue and dome were cleaned and repaired where necessary, workers from Conrad Schmitt Studios put down an adhesive and then spread tissue thin sheets of 23.75-karat gold using rollers and brushes to fill every tiny crevice.

In all, it took about 15 pounds of gold to bring the dome, which is made of galvanized steel, back up to its intended sheen. And while that work was underway, Midland Engineering of South Bend repaired sheet metal in the tower and other areas where damage was detected, Polotto said, pointing out that even the windows at the top of the building were washed while the scaffolding was in place.

“The project peaked in July, when we had as many as 20 people up on the scaffolding,” said Polotto, who couldn’t reveal the overall cost of the project. “It’s something that the university saves for because it’s among the top landmarks on the campus.”

Right up there with the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Word of Life Mural or Touchdown Jesus on the side of the Hesburgh Library or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart ― the cross at the top of the steeple being the highest spot on campus at 212 feet or six feet above the top of Mary's head.

Though many would be anxious with the idea of climbing to the top of the Golden Dome — including up several straight ladders ― Johnston said the work had a calming effect because she was focused on getting the best photographs to document the project.

She overcame her fear of heights long ago while documenting the restoration of the William Penn statue at the top of Philadelphia City Hall ― 538 feet above the ground ― as well as documenting the work of window washers on skyscrapers while working for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Eventually, you get used to it,” she said of working at extreme heights. “For me, it was very easy to overcome. Now, I love being up high. It has a calming effect.”

Like Polotto, Johnston is thrilled to work on such projects for the university. “It was, for sure, one of the most exciting things I’ve done but also an honor and privilege to document the work,” she explained.

“The Golden Dome is loved by everyone on campus and beyond,” she said.

Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame's Golden Dome glistening again after summertime restoration