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Westchester Public Library and museum request $6.6M for barn-style restoration and archival space
Summary
Westchester Public Library and Westchester Township History Museum requested an additional $6.6 million from library reserves to build climate-controlled archival storage and program space (a GMP of $6,216,759 was shown); council approved the appropriation and presenters said the project will make the Brown Mansion accessible and tourable.
Heather Chadock, director of the Westchester Public Library, and Serena Ard, curator of the Westchester Township History Museum, presented a restoration and archive project for the Brown Mansion and surrounding campus.
They said the mansion, built in 1885 and now leased/purchased from the local school corporation, contains irreplaceable local archives (Chesterton Tribune, Flora Richardson collection, local prairie club materials) that require climate-controlled storage. Their plan would replicate the barn that once stood on the property to provide artifact storage, ADA-accessible staff offices, a public research area and dedicated exhibit and program space. Chadock said the project will allow the mansion itself to become the museum's largest artifact and create ground-floor accessibility for the first time.
The presenters said they selected Moog Park (architect) for historic restoration expertise and Bergland Construction as construction manager after a public RFP process. They reported receiving a GMP proposal of $6,216,759 for the barn restoration and requested an additional appropriation of $6.6 million from the library improvement reserve to cover the guaranteed maximum price plus contingencies and unexpected items (lead-paint abatement, relocation of utilities).
Council members asked clarifying questions about the "guaranteed maximum price" language and contingency provisions; presenters explained certain items (lead paint, utility relocation) are excluded from the GMP and that contingencies are typical for older historic structures. The council approved the requested appropriation in a roll-call vote and heard an estimated project schedule (roughly one year from ground-breaking to completion with a target ground-breaking this June). Presenters also said they will refer to the facility as the 'Duland History Center' to reflect its expanded research and program functions.
No litigation, contract awards or additional county borrowing were authorized at the meeting; council approval covered the appropriation from the library's reserve balance.
