Staff members of the City of Saluda have enjoyed warmer offices this week as repairs to the building’s roof and work to replace windows were completed.
Mayor Fred Baisden said he was happy to have many of the exterior improvements completed in this first phase of work on city hall.
“So far I’d say we have been pretty pleased with the progress,” Baisden said. “The windows – you can feel the difference when you walk upstairs. Ron [Cole], our finance officer, said this is the first time in 15 years it’s felt like the heat has worked in his office.”
Cole said the city has also received two bids to replace the central heating and air. The council, however, was not happy with the figures received from those bids, so the project has been put back out for bids.
Cole said the city hopes to also seek out cost figures on what they believe would be more efficient systems that might use propane or other heating sources.
Baisden said he was pleased to see the work done so far had come under the architect’s original estimations.
Cole said the costs before heating and air work total about $48,000.
Work on the brick on the outside of the building began in November, so Colesaid he was pleased to be able to complete what the city has in a short time frame.
“We were lucky that in this time of year the contractors may have not had as tight of a schedule and were available when we needed them,” Cole said. “I think most everyone that has seen the work has been pleased.”
Outlaw Masonry completed the brickwork, while All Weather Roofing in Hendersonville replaced the roof and Ralph Morgan installed the new windows.
Cole said only a few minor change orders were required on the projects thus far.
“As always when you are in these old buildings like this there are bound to be unexpected repairs needed,” Cole said. “For example we did find some rotted wood around the windows that required extra work.”
Baisden said the city must get permission from the Local Government Commission before borrowing additional money to complete the stabilization of the building, but he said Saluda hopes to complete that work in the near future as well.
The total renovation of city hall was anticipated to cost more than $2 million.
The 100-year-old Saluda City Hall building was last restored in 1986.