Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Consultants recommend slate replacement at Victory Mansion; county asked for up to $100,000 match for Keystone planning grant
Summary
Consultants reported that the Victory Mansion’s century-old Pennsylvania black slate roof is failing and estimated full replacement at $215,000–$275,000; they asked the county to consider a $100,000 match if the county pursues a preservation Keystone planning grant due March 3.
Consultants from Landmark SGA and LBN Partners described conditions at the Victory Mansion and requested a county commitment to match a preservation Keystone planning grant if the county pursues the full grant amount.
Jessica, a consultant with Landmark SGA/LBN Partners, told commissioners that the mansion’s original Pennsylvania black slate is more than 100 years old, is delaminating in places, and that copper flashing at chimneys and gutters is failing. Photographs shown to the commissioners documented bubbling paint and water-damaged plaster interior areas, which consultants attributed to roof and flashing deterioration.
Local contractors provided preliminary estimates for a full slate replacement and associated copper-gutter and wood-socket repairs in a range of $215,000 to $275,000. Consultants said one local slate contractor provided an estimate below $200,000 but cautioned that final bids could vary. Because the property is listed on the National Register, consultants recommended following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and using slate as the preferred material; they said a synthetic-slate substitute has been prepared as an alternate if bids come in too high.
To pursue the state preservation planning grant, which is a 50/50 match program, the consultants said the county would need to commit up to $100,000 if the full $100,000 grant award is requested; the grant application deadline was stated as March 3. Commissioners acknowledged limited county reserves and said they would need to discuss budget availability before committing to a match. County staff also clarified that the county owns the Victory Mansion and that the Beaver County Historical Society currently rents the building; the county does not have a separately identified line-item for the mansion in its budget that meeting discussion could locate.
No final funding commitment was made at the meeting; consultants said they would proceed with the application if the county indicates willingness to provide a required match and will return with final bids and contingency figures as they are received.
