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Committee presses ahead on Latimer Braille House restoration amid state architect requirement uncertainty
Summary
An ad hoc committee reported progress on the Latimer Braille House restoration, seeking a low‑cost architectural solution after discussion whether state law requires an architect; committee members said limited funds remain and asked for a July plan to move forward within budget constraints.
Members of a county ad hoc group told the Sumner County General Operations Committee on June 2 that work continues on planning the Latimer Braille House restoration but that an unresolved question — whether state law requires an architect to sign off — is complicating cost estimates.
Committee members Christian Coker and David Cline presented findings from recent site visits and vendor conversations and said they had sought input from an architect during field visits. Cline and others said contractors and local advisers told them an architect might be unnecessary for the specific scope of work, but that an official interpretation of state requirements remained unsettled.
Commissioners said the county should proceed under the assumption that an architect is required and pursue a modest, focused architectural scope limited to structural review and a cost estimate. Committee members emphasized they did not seek a large architectural contract but instead a small, targeted engagement to sign off on any structural changes required to replace windows, restore exterior logs and provide necessary support where floor load or second‑floor work may be involved.
The committee reported approximately $582,000 remaining from a $5.87 million allocation; members said they wanted to minimize architectural fees and contractor markups because available funds are limited. The group said it will pursue nonprofit historic‑preservation input and return to the committee in July with a plan and budget suitable for mid‑June finance department submission if needed.
No binding procurement or appropriation was approved at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to prepare a concise scope of work for a limited architectural engagement and to return with a plan for July.
