Board Of Managers Seeks Bids For Edmond Town Hall Elevator

By Jan Howard

Bids have gone out regarding the elevator addition project at Edmond Town Hall and will be opened on May 24, according to Board of Managers’ administrative assistant Marci Becker.

Ms Becker said that preliminary work, such as a temporary handicapped ramp at the front of the building, should begin two weeks after the bid is awarded, about mid June.

“The new elevator will go all the way to the gym,” Ms Becker said, making the gymnasium accessible to the handicapped.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said this week that funding for the town hall project included a $500,000 Small Cities Grant from Connecticut and $1 million appropriated by the town in 2001. He said there may be an opportunity to obtain another $500,000 or $1 million. However, the town would spend only as much as it needs, he said, noting some of the original grant was used for the terrace at the side of the building.

Mr Rosenthal said there might be times during the construction when only one driveway would be in use.

The project consists of the construction of a new elevator and stairway on the north side of the town hall to provide accessibility for the disabled and bring the building into compliance with guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act and requirements of the Connecticut Building Code, according to Alan Black Architects of Newtown.

Building materials, such as bricks, mortar, doors, and windows, have been selected to match the appearance of those originally used in construction of the town hall. New stone masonry and slate roofing will also match the configuration and appearance of those currently used in the building.

The project also includes new exterior walkways and stairs that will match existing bomanite paving used in the plaza and sidewalks in front of Edmond Town Hall. The design also includes a new ADA-accessible walkway adjacent to the recently restored marble terrace. Four new parking spaces will be provided on the north side of the building.

A new emergency generator is proposed and will be located in the rear parking lot.

As part of the project, restoration work will be done on the building’s facade, including replacement of brickwork and repairs to the stone masonry.