Butler Museum Work Coming Along

 on the is coming along nicely and, according to Borough Administrator James Lampmann, is nearly complete, with the exception of railings for the platform and the handicap access ramp on the front of the building.

Lampmann said the installation of the railing is scheduled for May 10, so Phase I of the construction should be completed by mid-to-late May.

The , which started in September 2011, consists of structural repairs to the foundation and masonry foundations being built under sections where railroad ties were used as the foundation.

Precision Building and Construction is doing the work after being awarded the job with a bid of $327,416, according to Lampmann. Lampmann also confirmed that the borough will pay $65,000 while the rest of the costs of the restoration will be covered by grants.

"So far, we have for the work on the museum," Lampmann said. "The first grant was to prepare a preservation plan for the museum. The second grant was to prepare drawings and specifications for the Phase I work on the museum (foundation work). The third grant was for the actual construction of Phase I (currently in progress).  was to prepare drawings and specifications for the Phase II (exterior work). A fifth grant was awarded back in 2006 to build the handicap access ramp to the Ken Carpenter wing of the museum. Work on all of the grants has been completed except the Phase I construction, which is wrapping up shortly. I will be making a presentation on the Phase II construction application sometime in June."

There is no timetable for the completion of the project, Lampmann said.

"That is yet-to-be determined. We have applied for another grant to complete work on the museum and if we are successful in obtaining that grant, we will likely wait until that work is completed before re-opening," he said.