City staff updates AC Freeman House workshop, City Hall repairs and Peter Toll statue restoration

City of Punta Gorda staff on April 24 briefed the Historic Preservation Advisory Board on several preservation-related projects: roof and interior repairs at the old City Hall building, plans for a public workshop about the AC Freeman House, and community-funded work on the Peter Toll statue.

Why it matters: All three projects intersect with the city’s preservation goals and affect use, public access and stewardship of locally significant assets.

Peter Toll statue: Board member Charles Noble reported that the initial phase of restoration and preservation work on the Peter Toll statue is nearly complete and that volunteers and private donations have funded the effort. "We have added cables to the statue, to help support it in the event we have high winds," Noble said, and he stated that no taxpayer or city funds have been used for the restoration to date. Noble said he plans to set up a donation page to solicit further private contributions.

City Hall rehabilitation: Danielle Burhell, senior project manager in Urban Design, told the board staff met with Public Works and that the roof on the 1978 portion of the old City Hall will be replaced; a scope for bid is expected soon. Interior work will follow roof replacement after staff opens wall assemblies to assess mold and water damage. Burhell described plans to remove carpeting, repair walls and install an ADA ramp to address a single step into the dais area. She said the city may seek insurance reimbursement for storm-period damage after the building is opened up and assessed. Burhell also explained procurement procedures for construction work and noted that local contractors interested in providing discounted or volunteer labor could register as vendors on the city procurement website and submit that information when the project goes to bid.

AC Freeman House and contents: Burhell said a public workshop on the AC Freeman House is scheduled for May 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the same meeting room. Punta Gorda Historical Society President Beth Magnan and other board members raised concerns about donated furniture and artifacts stored in the Freeman House that are deteriorating. Magnan said the historical society does not claim ownership of all items and that volunteers have inventory lists and have begun to contact potential owners. "We can make another attempt to contact folks," Magnan said, and urged coordinated outreach so owners or families can reclaim donated items. Burhell said the city has a pending grant for the Freeman House; she said state grant rules require approval of plans and contractors at multiple stages and that the city has not yet issued construction bids for the work. "We have a grant pending," Burhell said, "and they have approved the plans that we've submitted so far. But they also have to approve every step of the bid process for us hiring the contractor. They will approve the contractor also."

Next steps and public participation: The AC Freeman House public workshop is scheduled for May 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room used by the Historic Preservation Advisory Board; staff said the workshop is intended to gather public input on the historic portion of the old building and to clarify preferred uses moving forward. For City Hall repairs staff expects to proceed first with roof replacement, then interior assessment and remediation, followed by a formal bid for construction work. Noble said he will pursue an online donation page for the Peter Toll statue to allow broader private fundraising.