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Adrian commission hears plan to restore Monument Park; consultant urges annual checks and a maintenance fund
Summary
Sculpture conservator Ken Thompson outlined a restoration plan for the Monument Park column and nearby bronze plaques, recommending targeted repairs, a sealant schedule and a modest, recurring public‑art maintenance fund to avoid large deferred costs.
Ken Thompson, a local sculpture conservator, told the Adrian City Commission on Oct. 6 that Monument Park’s central column and surrounding markers need a combination of cleaning, targeted stone repairs and plaque refurbishment to arrest ongoing deterioration.
Thompson said crews would clean the monument with a non‑aggressive trisodium phosphate solution, recarve and reattach a broken scroll corner with stainless‑steel pins and epoxy, and perform “Dutchman” repairs — replacing small damaged sandstone sections with matching stone. He said crews would repoint mortar gaps around the base and caulk seams with a urethane caulk chosen for compatible expansion properties.
“We’ll clean the eight bronze plaques, paint the background (leather brown) and highlight the text in a goldish color, then shoot them with a clear acrylic that will keep the shine on there about 10 years,” Thompson said.
Thompson recommended sealing the column with a water‑repellent impregnator (he cited Thompson’s Water Seal as an example and said the specific product he uses is Akimi). He emphasized that those sealers wear off and require reapplication, recommending a recurring schedule every one to three years and at least an annual visual inspection.
Thompson also recommended a photographic record (four directions, repeatable vantage points) so the city can detect change between inspections. He suggested creating a modest city budget line or public art maintenance fund — for example, setting aside a portion of capital funds or contributing a small annual amount — so the city is not faced with a large, urgent bill when pieces deteriorate.
Commissioners asked staff to prepare cost estimates and a maintenance proposal for future meetings. Jeremiah (staff) said he would put together a proposal outlining annual or biennial costs and service schedules so the commission could consider regular funding for monument maintenance.
Next steps: staff will prepare a cost proposal and schedule for commission review; Thompson said the work could start as soon as weather allows and that many of the repairs are performed on site.
