The Wildwood Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday endorsed a contractor recommendation for reassembly of the Essen Log Cabin, voting unanimously to forward the department’s choice to city council.

The Department of Planning presented a memorandum describing a second bidding process after an earlier procurement was voided when negotiations with a contractor rendered the original bids unusable. The department said the first bid cycle produced a wide spread — low bids near $140,000 and highs approaching $500,000 — and that the rebid attracted three bidders.

The low responsive bidder in the second round submitted a base price just over $300,000 that, after deducts tied to add-alternates, the department said brought the contract to about $280,000. Department staff told the commission the revised total is lower than the earlier internal estimate of about $320,000–$325,000 for reassembly.

Director Vinich of the Department of Planning and Parks said the department and the planning and parks committee recommended Shorette/Charette Creek Excavating (contractor name varies in the record) and asked the Historic Preservation Commission for an endorsement so the matter can proceed to full city council. "I think we're all in the same opinion. It's time to get the cabin reassembled and make good the promises we've made to the community," Vinich told commissioners.

Commissioners discussed three contractor-specified add-alternates that reduced cost but change materials: a manufactured stone veneer in place of native stone for the foundation concealment, synthetic roofing shingles instead of natural cedar shingles, and pavers in lieu of natural stone. Several commissioners supported moving ahead to control costs; others asked for more detail about the synthetic shingles’ appearance and installation so the commission can judge authenticity impacts.

Council Member Rambo said he had previously researched similar synthetic roofing products and found them “visually…virtually indistinguishable from cedar,” while cautioning that color and aging behavior vary by manufacturer and should be vetted before final acceptance.

Commissioners also discussed logistics and scheduling. Staff said the chosen contractor offered an additional roughly $5,000 deduct if the city can provide a separate clear construction pathway; that deduct would not apply if the larger Village Green bulk-construction work remains on the critical path. Staff said it will try to coordinate access and, if requested, have Elias Johnson, the contractor’s owner, contact commissioners with technical details.

A motion to endorse the department’s recommended contractor was made, seconded and carried unanimously. The record shows the vote was recorded as carried unanimously; the motion text and vote roll-call names were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s endorsement to city council and provide additional product and installation information about the roofing alternate to commissioners on request. If council approves the contracting legislation, staff said it expects construction to begin in late summer or early fall, subject to scheduling with other park contractors.