The city of Marietta will be reimbursed $122,785 for the first phase of its Armory Square renovation project from a state Energy Efficiency Conservation Grant, city development director Andy Coleman said during a city council lands, buildings and parks committee meeting Tuesday.
The initial phase of the armory building's reconstruction includes installation of new energy-efficient windows and doors. Total cost of that contract, with General Restoration of Columbus, is $173,600.
Up-front money for the contract was provided through the city's Gutberlet Armory Trust Fund which will be reimbursed with the Energy Efficiency Conservation Grant funding.
Coleman said the windows and doors for the project have been completed and are ready to be picked up for installation.
Mural estimates
Also on Tuesday, committee chairman Harley Noland, D-at large, said a dozen murals depicting stages of Marietta's history and painted by artist William Mark Young in 1937 had been appraised by the Bonfoey Gallery of Cleveland.
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- Marietta City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the community building at Lookout Park. All council and committee meetings, except executive sessions, are open to the public.
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"The Cleveland group has looked at the murals, but a second group from Columbus would also like to give an appraisal," Noland said. "And I would like to have that second opinion."
An appraisal is needed before the city can restore and loan the murals to the Campus Martius Museum for a three-year exhibit. Friends of the Museums member Jean Yost requested the paintings for a display in conjunction with Marietta's 225th anniversary in 2013.
The loan would also protect the murals during planned renovations at city hall.
The committee members agreed to a second appraisal and to loan the murals to the museum.
In other business
Jane Tuma-Serna with Armory Square, Inc., the new 501c3 umbrella group that includes Friends of the Armory and the Citizens Armory Preservation Society, urged the committee to apply for a 100 percent Rural Business Enterprise Grant worth more than $95,000.
The funding would be used to purchase large tents, chairs, banquet tables, picnic tables, storage trailers, and other outdoor furnishings that could be used during festivals, craft fairs, and other outdoor city events.
Tuma-Serna said members of Armory Square, Inc., worked with Coleman and the city administration to develop the list of furnishings and other equipment that could be purchased with the grant money.
"We tried to get the best quality for the best price," she said. "When visitors come to Marietta we want to treat them like guests."
Noland noted that currently during outdoor events, tables, chairs and other equipment either has to be leased by the event-holder or those attending are asked to bring their own lawn furniture.
Councilman Michael Mullen, I-at large, said the equipment would help bring more people to events like the annual Sweet Corn Festival, antique car shows, concerts and other activities.
"The more we can facilitate these events, the more visitors we'll be able to bring to the city," he said. "This will provide a huge boost for our special events."
Coleman said he would develop a final list of items to be purchased with the grant and submit the application by noon Thursday.
