The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum will make much needed building repairs thanks to a new state grant.
Museum Secretary Justin Aughinbaugh said the county is taking bids for a roofline and chimney inspection, HVAC condensation and drainage corrections, and gutter, downspout, and drainage improvements. Aughinbaugh said moisture and flooding issues have returned.
“We had water damage that took us a few years for us to repair, and we have only been open for about a little over year now since those repairs were done,” Aughinbaugh said. “But you know, it’s a really old building that takes a lot of upkeep, and this is the first grant that we have received since I think we have been going.”
Bids for the project must be turned into the county mayor’s office by January 5. Aughinbaugh said each repair will be bid separately and hopes the grant will cover the entire cost.
“The museum board itself, you know, we have raised a little bit of money besides the grant this year, and we are willing to throw in if it runs a little bit more,” Aughinbaugh said.
Aughinbaugh said he would like to review bids as soon as possible.
“I think it’s around June, I believe, of this coming year that we have to have like a progress report turned in,” Aughinbaugh said. “That’s why we are trying to get the word out right now, to get someone on it as soon as possible.”
Aughinbaugh said to contact the museum if there are any companies or contractors interested in bidding on the repairs.