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Franklin County Board Approves $69,000 Conservation Work to Preserve Courthouse Statues
Summary
The Franklin County Board voted to hire the Midwest Art Conservation Center to repair, wash and wax five historic courthouse statues, approving a proposal with a roughly $69,000 estimate and time-and-materials allowance for potential additional work; insurance reimbursement remains uncertain.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a proposal from the Midwest Art Conservation Center to repair, wash and wax five historic courthouse statues and add bracing to reduce wind damage. The board approved the proposal by voice vote after staff described the conservators’ inspection and the scope of needed work.
County staff said the contractor’s bid includes an estimated total of about $69,000 for work on all five statues, with added time-and-materials allowances to evaluate and repair the top statue once access via crane or basket is available. Staff told the board that two of the statues show leaks and deterioration in feet and base areas; some small pinholes of light were visible in places and conservators speculated lightning strikes may have caused localized burn-throughs.
Board members discussed insurance coverage. Staff said they have submitted the proposal to the county’s insurer but have not yet received a determination on how much the policy will reimburse. One supervisor noted that, at maximum, the policy might cover $50,000, and staff warned the board that the insurer may not pay the full amount. Despite that uncertainty, several supervisors emphasized the need to move forward to prevent further deterioration.
Supervisors also described structural measures planned as part of the conservation work: conservators will add support bracing and attachment points at shoulder-height on some statues to reduce wind stress on the west-facing figures that have exhibited repeated damage. The board discussed — and rejected as cost-prohibitive for this project — earlier options such as replacing outdoor statues with replicas and relocating originals indoors.
The board approved the motion to proceed with the Midwest Art Conservation Center proposal. Staff said, if the board signs the contract promptly, conservators may be able to schedule work this fall, though some additional evaluation will be required once crews can access the statues at height.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the conservation proposal by voice vote (ayes). The meeting record does not show a roll-call tally attached to this item. The board also approved several other routine motions during the meeting (see separate article for the subdivision waiver).
