Parks committee approves moving forward with Bombshell Construction to reassemble Essen log cabin

The Wildwood Parks and Recreation Committee voted to move forward with Bombshell Construction to reassemble the Essen log cabin, the committee decided at its June meeting as members weighed preservation risks, costs and construction timing. Committee chair Katie Dodwell presided; the motion to proceed passed on a voice vote after discussion.

Committee members and staff said the immediate impetus was concern about the logs now in storage and the risk of further deterioration if reassembly is postponed. Parks director Joe Vonich said department budgeting had included reassembly in 2025 and that recent progress by Bombshell Construction at the Village Green project increased the department’s confidence in the contractor.

The decision follows months of discussion about bids and project timing. The low bid for reassembly cited at the meeting was about $319,000; Bombshell’s owner, Andy Dobbs, described changes he could make to reduce costs—principally using manufactured stone rather than hand‑fitted natural stone—and said those changes could save roughly $20,000, lowering the cabin price toward the mid‑$290,000 range. Vonich and other staff said some original logs remain available and that the longer the logs are stored outdoors the more difficult it becomes to reuse them as historic fabric.

Committee members pressed contractors on schedule and capacity. Dobbs told the committee his crew could begin immediately and that his carpenters would not conflict with ongoing masonry work on the Village Green project because the cabin work is primarily carpentry. Other members raised the potential for union‑related slowdowns if a non‑union firm were selected; Dobbs said his crews are union and argued that union crews make timely progress.

The committee also discussed alternatives, including fundraising and using partner park funds, and whether the cabin should be deferred in favor of other Village Green priorities. Several members said preserving the historic material argues for moving now; others urged caution because of competing capital needs. After Kranz made the motion to proceed with Bombshell Construction and a second was offered, the committee voted in favor; the clerk recorded a voice vote and noted abstentions were entered but did not record individual tallies in the public record.

The vote directs staff to work with Bombshell Construction on design and reassembly details and to return with contract terms and any required change orders. The department said it will provide the committee with a more detailed cost breakdown and next steps for approvals required by the council.

Committee discussion and the motion clarify that this is a formal direction to staff to negotiate and proceed with the preferred contractor, not a final contract award; final contract documents and any amendments will come back to the council or committee for formal approval if required by city purchasing rules.