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Main Street board approves drop-ceiling modification at Children's Museum after safety and cost discussion
Summary
Coldwater Main Street Board voted to permit a drop ceiling in the Children's Museum multipurpose room to reduce HVAC noise and improve usability; the museum will cover construction costs and must add pendant sprinkler heads, which may require upsizing existing piping.
The Coldwater Main Street Board on Aug. 20 approved a request from the Children's Museum to install a drop ceiling in the northwest multipurpose room to reduce HVAC noise and sound transfer.
Shauna, the museum's representative, told the board the exposed HVAC and open ceiling made conversation and classes difficult when the system runs. She said the project includes installing a ceiling that will sit below existing trim and adding absorption tiles on walls, but noted the work will also require additional pendant sprinkler heads; "the existing piping is not big enough to carry all of those sprinkler heads," she said during discussion, and the piping will likely need to be upgraded. A contractor identified in the packet, Scott Winter, flagged that the ceiling tiles should help with sound absorption but would not be a complete solution.
Board members discussed whether to consult an acoustical specialist before spending funds and whether the proposed materials meet required fire ratings. Audrey noted the fire department has been providing guidance on acceptable materials and ratings. Shauna said the museum would pay for the work; an estimate was provided with the submission but the specific dollar amount was not stated in the meeting record.
Rocky moved to approve the building modification; the mayor supported the motion and the board approved it by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Meeting discussion and the motion made clear the board's action was permission for the structural modification only; funding was identified as the museum's responsibility and staff will coordinate required sprinkler adjustments and compliance with fire-safety requirements before construction.
Next steps: the museum and contractor will resolve sprinkler-head and piping specifications, confirm fire-rating materials with the fire department, and schedule the work. The board did not set a funding commitment or timeline during the meeting.
