Lakewood council forms ad hoc committee as H Barn restoration costs near $14 million

Lakewood Mayor Bokeh and council members on March 16 directed staff to convene an ad hoc committee to narrow design and program choices for the H Barn restoration after officials reported updated cost estimates that could push the project toward roughly $14 million.

Roxette Miles, the city irector of parks, recreation and community services, told the council that earlier concept estimates had ranged near $7 million but have since moved to about $14 million for a full restoration. Consultants identified a prefabricated option that consultants and staff estimated could save about $500,000 compared with the full restoration, producing a ballpark figure near $13.5 million, but Miles said that option offered far less customization and could change the historic character.

"There is some siding and elements from the H that we could utilize, but we have to raise and renovate the entire roof structure," Miles said, noting that prefabrication reduces some costs but limits how closely the building can match original materials and form.

Council members pressed staff for clarity on how the barn would be used and whether the city had an operating plan. "We need a plan of what this is going to be used for," Council member Pearson said, arguing that the difference between a destination event venue and a passive shelter changes what the building must contain and its long-term maintenance costs.

Council member Branstetter urged leaning toward renovation to honor community donors who gave with an expectation of restoration. "I would really like to keep faith with those folks in the community that have already, over the past three years, made a commitment to bring this about," he said.

Others, including Council member Talbot, suggested lower-cost alternatives or reduced-scope designs that preserve the building s a historic shell with limited interior systems, and asked for architectural examples and use-case visuals to inform decisions.

Mayor Bokeh said the council needed a clear concept before asking for additional state or federal money. He and staff agreed to form an ad hoc committee consisting of Council members Talbot, Pearson and Branstetter, Parks Director Miles, representatives from Partners for Parks and other staff to meet promptly, produce a recommended concept and identify the funding and program implications. The meetings will be posted as open public meetings.

The committee will advise whether to proceed to 60% design under a restoration-focused scope, a prefabricated approach, or a more passive restoration that lowers mechanical and programming requirements. Staff emphasized that some federal grant opportunities preferred projects that retain historic elements; staff also described an MOU process with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation that could require minimum re-use obligations if buildings are removed and replaced.

Next steps: the ad hoc committee will meet quickly to craft a concept, clarify program uses and return guidance to the full council so staff can complete the 60% design without producing two full sets of design documents.