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Women’s Club seeks $5,000 from town to stabilize historic clubhouse after engineer finds rotten support posts
Summary
The Harpers Ferry Women’s Club told the council it faces an estimated $86,800 repair bill to stabilize rotted support posts and damaged interior plaster at its 856 Washington Street clubhouse and asked the town for $5,000 to help cover the cost; the club says it has exhausted reserves and already put down a deposit with the contractor.
Susan Benzinger, representing the Harpers Ferry Women’s Club, told the council the group has contracted an engineer who recommended a structural stabilization for the club’s historic clubhouse at 856 Washington Street. Benzinger said certain uphill support posts have rotted and that portions of the interior show cracking consistent with settlement. The firm recommended installing new 24x24x36-inch concrete footings, adjustable jacks and associated drainage and backfill; the work is intended to stabilize the affected section and allow annual adjustments if necessary.
Benzinger presented the council with the contractor’s estimate—$86,800 total—and explained the club has used its reserves and applied existing operating funds toward a deposit but is short of the total required. She asked the town for $5,000 to help cover the balance and said, if awarded, the club intends to return the $5,000 to reserves after completion because the building remains a long-term community asset that requires ongoing maintenance and reserves.
Council members and staff discussed process steps: the Town’s procurement and reimbursement norms, the need for the contractor to hold a Harpers Ferry business license to make the town eligible for reimbursement, and that historic-preservation funding (including SHPO and other state or private grants) could be explored. Councilmember(s) urged the club to check State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) grants and other foundation grants with near-term deadlines; staff said such grants can require 50/50 matches and have March deadlines in some programs.
Benzinger said the contractor scheduled the work for July provisionally but that timing depends on permits and contractors’ availability. The council did not act on the request at the hearing; staff instructed the Women’s Club to return to the Budget & Finance process with final invoices and confirm contractor licensing and grant-match plans when seeking reimbursement or an allocation.
