The Plymouth Common Council took a major step toward preserving a piece of local history Monday evening, hosting a public hearing on a proposed exterior renovation of the city's Historic Firehouse.
Located at the corner of Washington and Center Streets, the firehouse has stood since 1875. Over the decades, the building has suffered significant weather-related deterioration. While financing a large-scale restoration proved challenging for previous administrations, the city is now pursuing state funding to bring the project to life.
Shannon McLeod of Baker Tilly, who is assisting the city with the grant application process, appeared at the meeting to outline the project's scope and financial strategy.
The total exterior renovation is estimated at $897,000. To fund the project, the city plans to apply for a $750,000 grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). If awarded, the city would be responsible for a $147,000 local match.
The comprehensive exterior overhaul is broken down into four primary phases:
- Masonry Restoration ($399,410): Crews will remove existing paint across the entire structure, repair compromised window and door headers, replace deteriorated bricks, and swap out old mortar. Weeps will be installed to allow water to escape, and a water repellent will be applied to the entire brick exterior.
- Cupola Restoration ($166,940): This phase includes the restoration of the wood and roof structures and trim. Work involves paint removal, caulking, sealing, and repainting, as well as the application of a liquid membrane on the metal cap of the hose tower.
- Exterior Doors ($78,980): Four single metal entry doors will be replaced. Notably, the two decorative arched, wooden double doors on the west side will be replaced with operational doors designed to replicate those installed in 1916—the year the fire department transitioned from horse-drawn carriages to motorized fire trucks. The arched transoms above the west doors will also be stripped, repaired, and repainted.
- Roof Replacement ($51,040): The building's 33-year-old roof membrane will be removed from the existing wood deck and replaced with a separation board and a 60-mil PVC roof membrane, which carries a 20-year warranty. The project also includes new aluminum flashing, gutters, downspouts, and the replacement of any damaged clay tile parapet caps.
The grant application follows a strict timeline. An initial proposal must be submitted by April 5th, which will prompt a site visit from a state representative. A second public hearing is scheduled for mid-May, ahead of the full application deadline on June 7th.
Tentative grant awards will be announced at the end of August. McLeod noted that the OCRA program is an "all-or-nothing" grant. If Plymouth is not selected in this round, the city plans to reapply during the fall cycle, which runs from October to December.
The initiative has already garnered strong community backing. About a dozen residents spoke during Monday's public hearing to express their support for the grant and the preservation of the Historic Firehouse.
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