One of the more difficult aspects of the project included installation of the rigid frame into the existing tower. The frame had to be designed to hold the weight of the new steeple and had to be mounted inside the existing tower.  This included taking accurate dimensions of the tower and installing concrete foundations to support the structure.  Hightower Construction crews spent several weeks inside the tower cutting and removing over 12 cubic yards of existing brownstone for the foundation pockets.  Then reinforcing and formwork was added before the concrete could be pumped up into the tower.  It was a very satisfying day when the rigid frame was lifted up and put into its final resting place. This  15,000 lb.  part of the steeple structure  will never be seen again by admirers of the new steeple atop the Cathedral of St John the Baptist.

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