Below is a recent update that was sent to the papers on the effort to identify a new use for and to restore the Lyon-Seegmiller home. Your input is welcome. Please spread the word - with the costs that are involved, this is not an effort that will be achievable without many hands and skillsets coming together. Sustainable uses must be combined with achievable funding sources to make this happen. Mayor Ben Frederick -------- Dear Editor: I would like to update the public once again on the status of the effort to develop a long-term vision and purpose for the Lyon-Seegmiller House in Owosso. Readers will recall this as the home which has sat unoccupied for decades as part of the “Hoddy block” of properties which was donated to Baker College upon George Hoddy’s death in 2010. An assessment by a renowned preservation architect has confirmed that repairs and restoration of this home will cost between $500,000-$600,000. This number possibly does go down as donated labor by contractors and other volunteers is secured, but there is no doubt that this will be a major undertaking. Unfortunately, the inspection also revealed a critical repair need involving a support beam which must be addressed prior to any further work being done on the structure. Simply letting the house sit empty indefinitely with the beam in this condition is not a viable option. Early estimates on work required put this repair at somewhere between $10,000 and $50,000. Work would need to be performed by a licensed structural engineer. There are three pathways which are available to us as we consider the future of this home: 1. Baker College continues to invite proposals for uses of the home as well as funding plans for the renovation. The submission deadline is December 31st, 2014. Since the initial call for proposals this summer, none have been received, although at least one may be forthcoming. 2. The foundation beam is fixed, allowing the house to stand as it is for the foreseeable future. Again, estimates range from $10-$50,000 to accomplish this and required work would be performed by a licensed structural engineer and licensed contractors. 3. The city issues a demolition permit to Baker. If this were to occur, the college has proposed to leave the rock façade and build a gazebo area within a park-like setting while constructing signs to dedicate the Native American Council Tree on the property, Chief Wasso, and the Lyon-Seegmiller itself. This is not the college’s nor my preferred option. I continue to collect the names of volunteers who are willing to donate their time and talents toward this project should a new use be identified and pursued for the house. Please note that all work requiring skilled tradesmen must be performed by licensed contractors. Those who desire to volunteer in any way toward this project are invited to contact me at [email protected] or at 989-725-0595. Again, thank you for your interest in the Lyon-Seegmiller House. This project will be a challenge, but I have often seen this community rally together to accomplish great things. It is time to do so again. Ben Frederick Mayor of Owosso
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:40:25 +0000
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