Enhancing the appeal of downtown Marietta is the goal of Build Up Marietta, a new facade improvement program from Marietta Main Street and the Marietta Community Foundation.

This program is due in part to the hard work of our Design Committee and their focus on beautifying downtown, Cristie Thomas, executive director of Marietta Main Street said in a recent news release.

Through the Build Up Marietta program business and property owners in Mariettas downtown C4 district can apply for a matching grant of up to $3,000 to upgrade the front facades of their buildings.

Those improvements may include exterior painting, brick maintenance, new or replacement awnings and signage, lighting, door and window repair, or other upgrades that increase property value.

We hope that Build Up Marietta opens the door to new partnerships with property owners and business owners, as well as new opportunities for property maintenance through quality design by helping offset some of the financial burden, Thomas added.

Support for the grant funding comes from the Marietta Community Foundation.

The submission date for the first round of 2017 grant applications is no later than July 1. A second round of grant applications this year must be submitted by Oct. 1.

Applications for grant-funded projects will be taken on a quarterly basis and all submissions will be reviewed by a group with working knowledge of construction, design, historic preservation, and community development, according to Thomas.

Build Up Marietta is reminiscent of a similar facade improvement program that was funded through the citys annual Community Development Block Grant. But the city has not offered that program for the last several years.

We used to do that every year during my first administration, said Mayor Joe Matthews. And we would present plaques thanking those who took advantage of the program. Im glad Marietta Main Street is going to do something now.

Andy Coleman, the citys development director, said the CDBG-funded facade program was successful for the first few years, but interest in the program began to wane.

Anytime you use federal (CDBG) dollars for a project, you had to pay the prevailing wage, which apparently made it too expensive for those who wanted to do a facade project, he said.

Coleman noted the project cost was covered 50 percent by the city and 50 percent by the property owner. But having to pay prevailing wage for the work, under the federal Davis-Bacon Act, proved to be too costly for property owners.

Because the Build Up Marietta program is being funded with Marietta Community Foundation dollars matched by the property owner, the federal prevailing wage stipulation is not expected to apply to those projects.

Coleman said CDBG monies once used to fund the citys facade program now support projects like Paint Marietta and the Emergency Repair Program, aimed at improving housing within the city and preventing blighted properties.

Projects that qualify for both of those programs are 100 percent funded out of the grant, he said.

About the

Build Up

program:

Owners may apply for a matching grant of up to $3,000 to improve the facades of their properties, including painting, brick maintenance, awnings, lighting, signage, door and window repair, or other facade projects.

Grant applications from business and property owners in Mariettas C4 downtown district must be filed no later than July1 to qualify for the next award cycle. Applications will also be taken no later than Oct. 1 for a second grant cycle this year.

For more information contact Cristie Thomas at info@mariettamainstreet.org, or call 740-885-8194. Or visit the Web site at mariettamainstreet.org/build-up-marietta

Source: Marietta Main Street

Remnants of Tropical Depression Cindy hit the Mid-Ohio Valley Friday evening raising concerns about local ...

Events planned at Beverly pool The Beverly Pool is open and many events are planned in June and July: A ...

Summer kids event at Pioneer Presbyterian A summer kids event called Maker Fun Factory VBS will be hosted ...

BELPRE - About 50 community members attended a special meeting Thursday to hear about a proposed strategic plan ...

View post:
'Build Up' and beautify the city - Marietta Times

The season of pansies is about over, but what a glorious one it turned out to be.

So, we can say both thanks and good-bye to pansies and their smaller cousins, the violas, and prepare to replace them with something great for the hot months ahead.

Since most people use pansies as edging for beds or in pots, window boxes and hanging baskets, this is not a huge, expensive job. But it is one you should get going on so that the plants get settled down and growing before the real heat clamps down on us in a few weeks.

The choices are amazingly varied, particularly among color, size and texture. There are also choices to be made governing the form of the plant, whether it is tallish and upright, wide and spreading or trailing. All three are useful, particularly for container gardens.

WHAT TO PLANT

This time of year offers a huge range of possibilities that allow gardeners to enjoy more variety and even experiment a bit. For example, a 12-inch pot that held eight or nine pansies can take on a completely different look with a mix of several different kinds of annual flowers. I find these combinations, such as petunias, trailing verbena, celosia or torenia, rich in color and texture and a delight to select and plant.

Before you choose, however, it is essential to know the environment. Spots, such as a flower bed or porch steps that get full sun through the winter and into April may turn quite shady once the trees are in full leaf. Without trees, this sunny spot may turn very hot for plants at midsummer.

Shady spots call for plants such as impatiens, begonias and torenia. Impatiens can grow quite large and should go solo in smaller baskets and containers. They can easily make a good edging for a flower bed and you would need fewer plants than you did with pansies because impatiens grow larger.

Begonias are another top choice for shady containers and edges because they bloom almost constantly, grow rather fast and cause no problems. For the shadiest spots, choose begonias with green foliage, for brighter, sunnier spots, the bronze-leaved ones perform better in partly sunny spots.

An edge of pansies in a hot, sunny spot can be readily replaced with scarlet sage, a wonderful summer flower. The bright red form is one of the best choices and makes a nice change, especially if the bed was filled with pastel colors through the winter.

When selecting annuals for mixed containers, take care to choose a variety of forms. This actually expands the space you have with vertical plants rising above the others and trailing plants that spill over the sides, creating a larger effect.

Q: The foliage on my daffodils is yellow now. Can I get rid of it and plant something else there?

A: The foliage should come up easily now. You can plant annuals over them, but great care must be taken to avoid hurting the resting bulb. Dont use a shovel to dig the soil. Just use a trowel and very gently to set out small plants that wont require deep digging. Even if the bulbs were set 7 or 8 inches deep, the top of the bulbs would be a few inches higher. A really safe choice would be a spreading annual such as lantana or verbena. They could add the color you want, and you would set the new plants just outside the area where the bulbs grow.

Original post:
Still got pansies? It's time to replace them with hot-weather flowers - Arizona Daily Sun

FAIRFIELD, Conn. PCB-containing paint has been discovered at Fairfield Ludlowe High School and the town plans a forum on the topic for July 11.

Those working on the window replacement project of the schools Building Committee discovered the paint, which has been encapsulated by years of repainting in the schools interior.

Environmental testing showed there are no air quality issues or health risks posed by the paint.

The Fairfield Ludlowe High School Building Committee, Fairfield Health Department, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency are working closely with the town and its environmental consultants to determine details of the abatement plan for these areas as part of the building committees work.

Work on the window replacement project is not affected by the encapsulated paint.

School and town officials know the community will have questions about the issue, so a forum will be held at 7 p.m., July 11, at the Board of Education board room, 501 Kings Highway East. Experts from the town Health Department and the projects environmental consulting firm will be on hand to offer details and answer questions.

To sign up for Daily Voice's email news alerts, click here and select your town.

See the article here:
PCB Paint Found At Fairfield Ludlowe High School, Forum Planned ... - Fairfield Daily Voice

Patch.com

PCB-Containing Paint Found At Fairfield Ludlowe High School Patch.com FAIRFIELD, CT A public forum will take place July 11 after PCB-containing paint has been determined to exist at Fairfield Ludlowe High School during the school's Window Replacement Project. Officials say the paint has been encapsulated by years of ...

Read the original post:
PCB-Containing Paint Found At Fairfield Ludlowe High School - Patch.com

Old neon signs across the Tenderloin are flickering anew, thanks in part to a city program that's helping businesses refurbish building facades with support from property owners.

The SF Shines program has spent about $51,000 over the last five years restoring about 10 signs, leveraging an additional $40,000 in private funding from property owners, Gloria Chan, spokesperson for the Mayors Office of Economic and Workforce Development, told Hoodline.

SF Shines supports other projects associated with facade improvement, including ADA compliance, storefront window replacement and awning replacement, Chan said.

Qualifying businesses must have at least three years left on their lease and property owners must contribute at least some funding toward any neon improvement or restoration project, Chan said.

This ensures there is support and engagement from the property owners...and the owners are working closely with tenants," she said.

Randy Shaw, executive director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, a nonprofit focused on getting people housed and preventing displacement, helped the owners of the Verona, Fairfax, Kinney, Jefferson, Boyd, Elk and Hartland hotels submit SF Shines grant applications.

These matching fund programs are a very smart policy approach, especially for encouraging facade improvements, Shaw said. Owners are much more willing to put up money if the city is also investing in the project, he added.

And while Shaw supports SF Shines' overall goals, he said he's "much less interested in getting a new awning or a paint job as I am getting a neon sign lit up again." Neon brings back a bit of the Tenderloin's history, and also help light up the sidewalks, he added.

SF Shines is a very forward-thinking program, said Randall Ann Homan, co-author of San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons.

Historically, cities have torn down old, busted neon signs, and here they are working to refurbish them, she said.

These signs are handmade, handprinted works of art, Homans partner and co-author Al Barna said. All of the tubes are formed by hand.

In addition to being artwork, neon signs do double-duty as a beacon for a gathering place, since they typically identify small, independent businesses, Barna added.

There is now a whole row of neon signs alight starting with the Hotel Verona at the corner of Eddy and Leavenworth, followed by hotels McKinney, Fairfax and Jefferson in a line eastward down Eddy.

That is very rare anywhere, let alone in San Francisco, Shaw said.

While a row of neon signs may be rare today, in the 1940 and 50s, San Franciscos streets used to be crowded with them, Homan said. This was especially the case in the Tenderloin and Civic Center area, which was leveled by the 1906 earthquake.

The neighborhood was basically all rebuilt at the same time, in the wake of theCity Beautifulmovement, Barna said. New buildings with exterior ornamentation and design motifs needed to be properly illuminated.

Store signs were initially alabaster and backlight with gas lighting or incandescent light bulbs. When neon came along, it was much more energy efficient and inexpensive, Homan said. They were the LEDs of their time.

But signs of yesteryear tended to burn out within five to seven years, and many business owners didnt want to spend money on repairs and maintenance, Barna said. Many signs have been demolished or left inoperable because they were too pricey to fix.

Nobody in the Tenderloin today is talking about demolishing their neon sign, Shaw said. Everyone recognizes the value of neon signs, its not even a risk that theyll be demolished. It is just a question of whether they will be restored.

There were some issues in the past of erratic performance by neon sign companies Shaw worked with, but lately he and the property owners have been working with Rago Neon out of Hayward.

Rago has displayed a very high level of professionalism, which makes a big difference, Shaw said.

Homan and Barna said there are several historic signs they'd still like to see refurbished, including the old martini glass at the Gangway (841 Larkin St.) and the towering Golden Gate Theater sign at 1 Taylor St.

If youre interested in learning more about the neon signs in your neighborhood, check out Homan and Barnas website,or sign up for one of their upcoming tours.

View post:
City, Property Owners Restore Tenderloin's Neon Signs - Hoodline

Home window replacement and installation is stressful enough. The last thing you need to deal with is hiring an unreliable window company that overcharges and underservices. Luckily, you wont have to deal with the hassle that comes along with hiring an unreliable window replacement company if you hire All Seasons Window & Door Co.! Since we were founded in 1981, All Seasons Window & Door Co. has been one of the leading window contractors in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas.

What makes us one of the leading home window companies in North Carolina and South Carolina? Here are a few characteristics:

At All Seasons Window & Door Co. we are committed to providing our customers with an outstanding customer experience. Our process is simple: we meet with our potential customers for an initial consultation focusing on what qualities they are looking for in their replacement windows. Then, we prepare and install your replacement windows as quickly as possible. We know window replacements are huge investments that can be a hard commitment. Thats why we have specially trained customer service representatives on call throughout the day to answer any questions or concerns and help you understand everything you need to know about replacing your windows.

Part of ensuring our customers are pleased from their initial consultation to after installation is providing them with phenomenal materials at a moderate price. Typically, people tend to shell out thousands of dollars for a quality window replacement in Charlotte, NC. But at All Seasons Window & Door Co., we believe customers shouldnt have to break the bank for quality materials and service. Thats why we offer an array of materials, such as vinyl replacement windows. One of the benefits of using vinyl replacement windows is the affordable price. Unlike other materials, such as wood, you wont have to worry about spending more than your initial budget for your window replacement. But just like common expensive window materials, vinyl has maximum durability, strength, and resilience. So instead of pushing the limits of your budget to have mediocre windows, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have affordable replacement windows that are top quality.

So, what makes our windows better than other replacement windows in Charlotte and surrounding areas? Mainly the strength of our windows and the techniques we use to install them. Its true: our replacement windows are some of the strongest in Charlotte. North Carolina is prone to inclement weather, such as hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. This means that many residents have to invest in storm windows or repair their windows often. But with our windows, you wont have to worry about any inclement weather, such as high wind speeds or heavy rainfall, as well as other external factors, interfering with the condition and quality of your replacement windows. In fact, our windows have been proven to last longer than most replacement windows in Concord NC, where there is heavy storm activity. This debunks the myth that price is equivalent to quality. Our window replacement cost is lower than most windows in Concord NC, as well as Charlotte and surrounding areas, yet you wont have to undergo another window replacement for at least twenty years.

That leads us to the technique we use for our window installations. If you have researched window replacement techniques in Matthews NC or in other parts of Charlotte, then youre most likely aware that most companies use a standard window installation technique that involves using a premade product and an easy-to-abide-by outline. Instead of using the standard window installation procedures, we customize every installation process to satisfy your needs. For example, the commercial window installations we do always require a different technique and process than our residential window installations. While this is attributed to the fact that commercial buildings and residential buildings have different requirements and outlines, it is also attributed to our commitment to satisfying everyones needs and desires. In other words, we are willing to alter our standard installation techniques to make sure that each and every one of our customers receive the windows of their dreams.

Speaking of tailoring our general window installation process to each of our customers, we demonstrate our value of specialty and uniqueness through our completely customizable window replacement options. As previously stated, we offer an array of window materials to satisfy everyones budget, design preferences, and dreams. Each of our available materials comes in different colors and textures. This allows you to obtain windows that seemingly flow with the overall design of your house, as well as your personal design aesthetic. Whether you want a completely personalized replacement window, or a standard minimalistic window, our specially trained employees can help you find the perfect materials and design features for your needs.

Between our devotion to customer service, array of customizable options, and the fact that we offer one of the most affordable window replacement costs in Charlotte NC and surrounding areas, you cant go wrong with All Seasons Window & Door, Co. The notion that we have remained one of the top window contractors in Charlotte NC for over thirty years further proves that we have well above the necessary experience and education to produce and install quality windows in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas. Since we have been around for a while, we have gotten the chance to turn our company into a family and become acquainted with most people in the community. In other words, the Charlotte area knows that All Seasons Window & Door, Co. isnt just about business. Instead, we are committed to providing the community with safe, durable, and affordable windows that residents can feel comfortable and confident in.

So say goodbye to the days of worrying about inclement weather completely destroying your windows, or having to shell out thousands of dollars to repair or replace your windows. Instead, contact one of our specially trained employees to help you with your North Carolina window replacement. We will make sure your windows exceed safety standards, satisfy your design preferences, and stay in the range of your budget. Overall, there isnt a window project too big or too small. Give us a call at (704) 399-4244 or fill out the form on this page to contact one of our customer service representatives and schedule a consultation today!

Continue reading here:
Window Replacement Charlotte NC | Entry Doors Charlotte NC

Replacement Windows for Robert P May 17, 2017

5 5 1

they were prompt and did and excellent job and cleaned up afterwards

Robert P

5 5 1

From start to finish the job was done first class. I expected no less and it was delivered.

Sam S.

5 5 1

New in this area and didn't know what to expect. Owner and workers very professional. Work exceeded my expectations. Planning on using them for two more projects.

Ed R.

5 5 1

We hired Top Tier Home Improvement to install the LeafLock Gutter System on the front and back of our house. The look has added value to our home and they are functioning well so far. All company representatives were easy to work with, helpful and friendly. These gutters are more expensive than the typical gutters, but if you have a lot of trees/falling leaves...and you want something that is going to last, I recommend LeafLock gutters and Top Tier to install them. Thanks ya'll!

Aubrey S.

5 5 1

very professional... work done on time and within budget

Mike D.

5 5 1

True Professionals

Heidi F.

5 5 1

Final project turned out great!

Jessica F.

5 5 1

Great!

Leon B.

5 5 1

Corey was helpful when explaining everything and answering our questions. When they showed up, they were on time and efficient. A pleasure to do business with!

Nathan B.

5 5 1

Cory's enthusiastic belief in the LeafLock gutter system and his detailed explanations sold me. Justin and Chris expertly installed the gutters and fully answered all my questions. They always let me know when they were arriving or leaving the property. Worksite cleanup was meticulous; Justin even used his leaf blower on all my concrete surfaces. The gutters upgraded the curb appeal (and maintenance-free function) of my house from mediocre to knock-your-socks off!

Teresa P.

5 5 1

This company is very customer-oriented! After explaining my need for a new exterior door, Cory helped with suggestions to find the perfect door for us. Very easy to work with as far as scheduling the job also. He truly cared that we were completely satisfied with the job when it was finished! Andy and Darren (they installed the door) are truly professional and did excellent work, custom-fitting the door to the frame perfectly. Also easy to work with as far as scheduling. They are friendly, sweet, and truly trustworthy. Would highly recommend this company to anyone!!! Install or Replace Gutters 12/07/*2016 Comment: Very professional company. The gutter system (LeafLock) was completely explained to me with a demonstration using the actual parts of the gutter system itself. Installers were friendly and professional as well. They had to come back the next day as it was getting dark, which they did with no problem. While they were on the roof they even went out of their way to remove the multiple satellite dishes left by previous owners! I would highly recommend this company to anyone!!!

Barb R.

5 5 1

Explained everything in great detail, they were prompt & professional and reasonable. I would recommend Top Tier to anyone looking for their services.

Hermeine T.

5 5 1

I may have paid a little more for this job than I should have but it seemed to be in the ball park, even if at the higher end ( price guide only arrived after I hired them. I needed the job done ASAP and they were on time, efficient and pleasant to work with. It was a very straightforward job. They were the second company to call and I hired them because the first company never showed.

a homeowner

5 5 1

Very polite, nice company to work with.

Maria C.

5 5 1

Friendly, reliable people to work with.

Rita S.

5 5 1

I was completely satisfied with my experience. I was promptly contacted once I submitted the request for a quote. During the initial appointment, everything was well explained from the material being used to the various options that I had as well as the final cost of the project. The installers came and the work was completed in a timely manner. They walked me around after finishing and everything was cleaned up and the gutters looked great.

Gerald N.

5 5 1

Prompt response

a homeowner

5 5 1

they are responsive, they are experienced thus, installation is much quicker than most, they clean up after the work, and they keep you informed.

Don S.

5 5 1

I am so happy with my new windows. My old windows were old and wooden, I had to paint and seal every year. My new windows look great and are so easy to clean! Top Tier's crew was great and were very neat and punctual. I'm so glad this is done before Winter gets here.

a homeowner

5 5 1

My wife and I hired Top Tier to install new windows at home and are very happy with our decision to chose Top Tier. At our first appointment the Sales Manager showed up on time, which I really appreciate and answered all questions we had. The installation worked out well. Overall our experience was great and I highly recommend Top Tier

Benedikt Z.

5 5 1

My wife and I hired Top Tier and were very pleased with the service offered. The Sales Manager was right on time and answered all questions we had. The install company was very professional and did the job in the agreed time. Overall the service and quality of the products is excellent and we highly recommend this company.

Benedikt Z.

5 5 1

I recently had Top Tier Home Improvement install seamless, clog free gutters on my home and was very pleased with the entire process. The consultant that came to our house was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions and the crew that installed the system was very prompt and professional. They kept me informed throughout the entire process and did exactly what they said they were going to do. Overall I was very pleased and would highly recommend them. After this experience, I will definitely be calling Top Tier in a few months when I am ready to tackle my next project and replace the windows in my home.

Adam K.

5 5 1

Top Tier installed clog free gutters on my home, I was extremely pleased with everything from start to finish. The gutters look wonderful!

Natalie A.

Continued here:
Windows - siding - gutters in Charleston, SC | Top Tier ...

June 21, 2017 8:46 PM

DENVER (CBS4) One company is helping out with replacement windows after a new law goes into effect that will allow strangers to break into a vehicle if a child or pet is in danger.

In Colorado, it is illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Come August, the state plans to implement a law which would allow bystanders to break a vehicle window if a person, dog or cat were found to be in danger inside.

(credit: CBS)

That person would not be subject to any criminal prosecution.

Mobile Glass in Colorado Springs says theyll cover the cost to replace the window in those situations.

Were trying to make everybody aware that, this is your safe zone, so you know that you can go ahead and break the window, theres no strings attached, you can contact us and we can go ahead and take care of that, said Mobile Glass spokeswoman Abby Martinez.

The offer applies to those living outside the Colorado Springs area. Mobile Glass says they have a nationwide network of glass professionals.

CBS Local App

Advertise

Contact

Mobile

Business Development

Employment

CBS Television Public File

Read the original:
Glass Company To Help Replace Shattered Windows With New Law - CBS Local

Boston is overhauling its school buildings with $1 billion dedicated for the next decade to upgrade, renovate or replace the aging building stock as part of its Build BPS facilities master plan.

The 10-year plan released in March found that almost half of the districts buildings were in fair condition while more than half of the 125 schools had poor air quality.

As part of the plan, in August, the city will launch its $13 million 21st Century Schools Fund for school leaders to tap into for short-term capital investments such as technology and new furniture.

Current projects underway or planned for the next year include: a $9.8 million replacement of the roofs at the Dever and McCormack schools and the boilers at the Channing, Condon and Boston Latin and a 3,000-window replacement project over the summer at Community Academy, Curley, Ellis, McKay, Sumner, Tech Boston and Young Achievers for $29 million.

By the end of 2017, construction will be done on the new $73 million Dearborn STEM 6-12 Academy. The city broke ground on a $20 million renovation of the John Eliot K-8 Innovation Upper School on Tuesday, due to be completed by the fall of 2019, with an art studio and a robotics engineering lab overlooking the Charles River.

Visit link:
BPS proceeds with $1B overhaul - Boston Herald

KEWANEE (AP) Shafts of light stream in from dozens of cracks in the roof of the historic Ryan's Round Barn, but this isn't just any barn where time and the elements are taking their toll.

It's a state, and national, treasure and one that's at the mercy of the state's budget battle.

Located in Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park off state Route 78 between Annawan and Kewanee, the barn was built in 1910 by Dr. Laurence Ryan, a Henry County native who became chief surgeon at St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago.

At 61 feet tall and 74 feet in diameter, it's the largest round barn in Illinois. Its interior has three-and-a-half levels and a central silo, four gambrel dormers spaced evenly around the edge, and a cupola at the top. Ryan wanted a place in Henry County to be a retreat for his family. He built the barn for a "new" breed of cattle he had heard about in Scotland: Black Angus.

Ryan died in 1932, and an Annawan banker sold his farm to the state in 1968. The barn was among a number of buildings the state had slated for demolition until the Friends of Johnson Park came together to preserve it.

In 1974, the barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ten years later, it was re-roofed with original-style wooden shingles. After more than 30 years later, the barn roof needs work again.

Three years ago, estimates put the cost of the roof at $201,000 to $245,000, depending on whether asphalt or wooden shingles were used.The type of shingles needed "depends on who you talk to," said Steve Christian, president of Friends of Johnson Park Foundation.

"I love barns and I love history," said Christian, now retired.

Christian said that when state candidates campaigned in 2014, the group was told Illinois didn't have funds for the roof work. A lack of a state budget in 2015 brought the re-roofing effort to a halt, a story that's much the same today as legislators languish in a budget deadlock in Springfield.

The barn's interior is basically sound, although the siding holds moisture from the leaking roof and has started to deteriorate. The leaks also have caused some rotting in the hay mow in the loft.

"It creates havoc with everything that's underneath it or everything that touches it," he said.

Christian's group explains to visitors that the barn is not a multi-side structure appearing to be round. Instead, the structure was made with 16-foot lengths of pine soaked in water and bent to shape. Even large interior beams are bent, with five one-inch boards laminated together to form the beams.

As for why the barn is round, Christian said that while it was more expensive to build, the barn was labor-saving in the long run. One man with a pitchfork could feed 50 cattle with little movement. However, the advent of tractors and evolving farm machinery eventually made round barns obsolete, he said.

"You can't bring a tractor in and turn it around," he says.

While the barn may not attract crowds as large as the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Christian said the landmark "holds its own." More than 1,000 visitors go through the barn tours each year.

"We draw a pretty good size crowd here, and we have people from all over the world," he said. On June 3, that crowd included visitors from California and Puerto Rico.

The barn also could use new paint. A 2004 estimate put the cost of that at $3,200, a price that's only gone up since then. The Friends have set aside money from tour fees to repaint the barn this summer, but they worry even that project might not happen. They still need approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and haven't gotten it yet, even more bad news for the barn.

Landmarks Illinois, a preservation non-profit group, this year named the barn as one of 10 endangered historic entities in the state. While the friends group tackles smaller barn projects, such as repairing metal flashing at dormer windows, the roof work is beyond their abilities, or their pocketbook.

"We can handle window replacement," Christian said. "But at a $2 donation, we cannot come up with a quarter-million dollars to put a roof on.

"Our hands are tied," he said. "We can't do anything until we get a budget."

View original post here:
While legislators go round and round, historical barn suffers - SaukValley.com