The Manhattan Park District is inching closer toward getting the green light for interior renovations on the Baker-Koren Round Barn, with the two-level floor plan nearly complete and ready for engineering.
“These are far from final, but this is the most updated floor plan. I can tell you that based on everything we want to do, this certainly is meeting all of our goals and keeping the barn as original as possible,” Executive Director Jay Kelly said.
The public has been able to witness the transformation of the Round Barn’s exterior, whose restoration is almost complete. Work began this past spring, and Kelly said they anticipate construction fencing to come down within the next week.
The park district contracted with Firmitas, a company specializing in historic round barn restoration projects, to complete the exterior renovations.
Kelly reviewed the most recent version of the two-level floor plan for the historic barn with the board, which will be sent to engineering once the floor plan is finalized.
“It’s impressive,” President Bridget Hope said of the anticipated changes.
Inside, the two-level barn will be ADA accessible with a LULA lift. The lower level will have a fully insulated bar, a catering area with a catering lift, and bathrooms. It is anticipated to hold 350 people.
Interpretive stalls will stand where original stalls once held horses and other livestock. The old grain bin will be transformed into a display room. Bathrooms will be available on the first floor.
Kelly explained they are trying to use rough-sawn cedar wherever possible to maintain the aesthetic, as well as any metal in a black finish.
The upper level will have two sides, one with a bar, and it will be open for visitors to view what’s below in the center of the barn. A bridge connects the two sides.
“It looks nice, the elevated platforms upstairs are kind of cool,” Park District Secretary Ed Ludwig said.
“It’s my favorite part,” Vice President Kristy Byers added.
Silo bases have been sandblasted, and the trim has been painted black. Bob Gainous donated an old tractor to the park district, which will be on display, along with an old plow and some other antique pieces that will be touched up appropriately.
Cattle panels, painted black with “keep off” signage, will surround the silo displays to discourage visitors from climbing on the antiques.
“It’s going to be really cool,” Kelly said.
Tuckpointing and painting for the blacksmith building is planned for the spring unless the weather allows it to be done before the end of the year. Electricity has been run from the blacksmith building to the barn.
Kelly explained the park district intends to reuse old stall gates wherever there is a break in the fence.
The park district hopes annexation of the Round Barn Farm into the Village of Manhattan will be fully complete by the end of December. The property is currently unincorporated Manhattan Township until the annexation is finalized; once completed, the park district will be able to tap into village-supplied water and sewer services.
The trails paved earlier this year at Round Barn Farm have cracked but will be replaced under warranty in the spring.
In other financial news, the park district now anticipates holding a Truth in Taxation hearing, as the levy will exceed 5 percent. Although the debt is abated, it ends up putting the district over the 5 percent after factoring in real dollar growth. They anticipate having final numbers in December.
The district also received a $200,000 trail grant, $250,000 from state funding, and $80,000 in funding for previous renovations for the Hansen Community Center.
With regard to other projects, the 9-hole disc golf course has been completed and has had golfers come through it. Kelly reported he saw some golfers out while attending a fundraising event; he informed the board they were happy with the course. The only criticism has been that golfers missed the course running through the trees and having the path mowed, but the park district opted to leave that naturalized before creating the new course.
In unfortunate news, the new bucket truck sustained damage when a tree branch fell on it; the insurance claim is about $11,000. No one was injured.
Winterization of the bathrooms and splash pad has been completed.
Ivanhoe Park will undergo some changes following the installation of three new implements. Although the pieces, monkey bars, up-and-over, and pods, were installed to spec, Kelly felt there was not enough safety clearance for the up-and-over, where, if someone fell, they could injure themselves on the curb. Adjustments will be made.
“It does meet standards, but I can’t, in good conscience, leave it that way,” Kelly said, acknowledging it would take $12,000 to “do it right.” He expressed dismay with the design company.
Programming has been successful with an estimated 1,300 attendees at the Trick-or-Treat Trail.
The park district is preparing for Winter Fest, which will take place on December 5, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Round Barn Farm, with Breakfast with Santa taking place the following morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Hansen Community Center.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
Was the supposed lumber from the World Columbian Exposition of 1893 saved during the recent upgrade of the Round barn