Putnam board authorizes Lake Ko Community Center repairs after hurricane damage; Alpha Foundation estimate $100,000 phased

The county reported that the Lake Ko Community Center, a roughly 3,600‑square‑foot historic structure heavily used by the South Putnam community, shifted on its foundation during Hurricane Milton and is currently closed as unsafe.

"When it was safe for occupancy, it is currently shut down because it is not safe," a county presenter said, summarizing post‑storm inspections. Staff said they contacted multiple contractors and engineers; Alpha Foundation was the only responsive foundation specialist and offered a phased remediation approach: first, slowly level the building, then assess and repair roof rafters and interior work. Alpha’s on‑site estimate was approximately $100,000 over three to five years.

Preservation advocates and local volunteers urged repair rather than replacement. Dan Dodge, president of the Futland Peninsula Historical Society, described the center as "architecturally very important" and said restoring the century‑old structure would retain community identity at lower cost than a new build.

The board voted to proceed: staff will return with a contract for Alpha Foundation (or a responsive contractor) and a budget amendment; funding was described as coming from general fund reserves (the county administrator said the contract and budget change would be presented to the board). Commissioners emphasized phased oversight, quarterly progress reviews, and the goal of returning the building to active community use.

What happens next: Staff will prepare the contract and budget amendment and present them to the board for formal appropriation and execution.