The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Preserving a piece of history
Concerned citizens starting business plan to save historic mansion
A group of Vermilion citizens have taken it upon themselves to find a way to save and restore the city’s Harbor View mansion and maritime museum.
The concerned citizens group of about 40 members is seeking to save the former mansion built by Frederick William “F.W.” Wakefield and 1970s Inland Seas Maritime Museum add-on by collecting signatures, distributing petitions around the city and developing a business plan for restoration.
So far, the group has collected 100 signatures just during the Ritter Public Library Chocolate Festival on Feb. 1 with plans to canvas already underway.
“The feel we get from it is that an overwhelming majority of citizens want it kept, but to use this for the benefit of the community,” said Ben Criss, member of the group and historic building renovator. “It’s our last landmark; we depend on tourism.”
Previous efforts to save the building date back to 2010 when the mansion was entered into a “This Place Matters” national competition to win $25,000 for its restoration, according to a Vermilion Photojournal article.
The city of Vermilion, Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Vermilion, Ritter Public Library and Vermilion Local Schools have backed the salvaging of the
mansion.
Memories
Lonnie Smith, another concerned citizens group member who was involved with the project, said she thought the work to save the mansion had been done until she revisited the building and saw its deterioration.
With her family has lived in Linwood for the past five generations, Smith said the mansion played an important part in her childhood.
“I ran around this house as a little girl,” she said. “It means something to me.
“And as I got older, I realized the beauty and historic value of that place ... I want to save it for other generations.”
The plan so far
The concerned citizens group is pondering the old museum be converted into a general Vermilion history museum, with the mansion as a venue with office spaces in the upper levels.
For the museum, Criss said exhibits and materials for viewing on sandstone quarries, Native American history and heritage, a local utopian art commune located south of the city from 1890 to 1937, shipbuilding and commercial fishing industries, recreational fishing, naval battles, steamships and rumrunners, freighters and the return of bald eagles are all proposed topics.
Smith said with wedding and bridal photos already taken by Lake Erie, the mansion could act as a further draw for tourists and another venue for local businesses to benefit from.
For the office space, Georgi Tarrant, another concerned citizen group member, said the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Bowling Green State University are on the group’s list to reach out to occupy that space.
The group also has its eye on the Erie and Lorain County metro parks to ask if they are interested in programming in the space.
Renovations
Criss said he and Bob Jursinski, of Jurinski Construction, in Vermilion, have walked through both buildings and realized the previous appraisal of $5 million is high.
“What struck us about this building, it’s in remarkably good shape,” Criss said. “It’s jaw dropping in the fact that there are no foundation cracks.”
He said a new metal roof to replace current clay tile, plaster work, pressure washing the exterior and window treatment are needed to prevent further deterioration in the mansion.
Patchwork also is needed on the old museum’s roof.
Eliminating moisture exposure can help encapsulate and solve mold and asbestos issues in both
the museum and mansion, Criss said.
The removal of asphalt added to the mansion’s grand stairway and walkway and adding pavers and an elevator add-on also are potential possibilities for the mansion’s restoration.
Criss and Jursinski are coming up with an assessment for costs.
Tarrant said the group is following steps in the manual, “How to Save a Building,” by The Michigan Historic Preservation Network.
“We don’t want to come off as fighting against the city,” she said. “We’re trying to help the city.
“We realize the city doesn’t have enough money, so we’re looking at the preservation angle and trying to get money through preservation.”
Those looking to express interest in the mansion and museum restoration can attend the group’s meeting at 6 p.m., Feb. 20, at Ritter Public Library, 5680 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion.
Criss hopes residents also reach out to the administration with their thoughts.
The numbers
Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer said until he receives evidence, he does not anticipate a lesser price of $5 million
to restore the building, given the codes and safety issues that are regulated.
“This (the $5 million appraisal) is an aging study, so it’s probably getting more expensive,” Forthofer said.
The appraisal was completed by DS Architecture, of Kent, in 2017, the same year the mansion and museum were slated for demolition.
After that $5 million, the property would then take between $80,000 to $100,000 to maintain, according to the appraisal.
The demolition of both structures is estimated to be about $500,000, with $250,000 of that to be in an asbestos abatement loan.
The Clean Ohio Grant previously received for the property has specific restrictions, including that the structure cannot be used for anything commercial.
With the Main Street Beach project taking off after nine years of preparation, Forthofer said keeping the building would hinder the development of that portion of lakefront.
“What we’re after: additional structure, restrooms, accommodation, the total development of the beach would be unfeasible,” he said.
Before coming to the current proposal of an amphitheater on the property, Forthofer said the committees working on the issue already had exhausted ideas that now are being presented by the concerned citizens group.
Andy McDowell, vice president of Western Field Operations at Western Reserve Land Conservancy, an organization which is working with the city on the beach development, said preservation of historical structures is always a top-priority.
After learning the original appraisal of the property, McDowell said in a statement that other measures need to be taken.
“Instead, the project is working towards capturing pieces of history by incorporating signage and historic features into a new, costeffective structure that offers unobstructed lakefront views and modern, convenient public amenities,” McDowell said.
The project aims to make room for additional public access, trail connectivity and green space, he said.
“When we care for and green our cities, our health improves, property values rise and residents are happier,” McDowell said.