Masonry restoration starting soon at Holland Museum - HollandSentinel.com

HOLLAND — Renovations to the Holland Museum are set to begin in the coming weeks, following the approval of a $654,583 budget on Wednesday, May 15.

Holland City Council also approved a $50,000 contingency budget. The funds cover exterior masonry restoration.

Assistant City Manager Matt VanDyken wrote in submitted paperwork that, during the exterior renovation of Holland City Hall last year, exploratory work at the museum turned up problems.

"The brick work that is behind the exterior parapet wall is deteriorated and in need of repair very soon," VanDyken wrote. "The remainder of the masonry work is cleaning and tuck pointing and repair similar to the work that was done at City Hall last summer."

The museum at 31 W. 10th St. is owned by the city and operated by the Holland Historic Trust.

The awarding of the bid comes a year and a half after council first learned the museum had significant structural issues and could need repairs of $1 million or more, according to an assessment by Quinn Evans Architects.

More:Holland Museum may need $1 million or more to fix 'significant' structural issues

The building also needs work on roofing and interior insulation, but due to the immediate need of masonry restoration, the latter is being prioritized.

The rest of the museum's needs will come before Holland City Council for approval later this summer. 

VanDyken said the city plans to keep the museum and surrounding sidewalks open during renovations.

"(We are) making sure that people can still enjoy the Holland Museum throughout the construction project," VanDyken said.

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Councilmembers saw the bid as a win, as it came in lower than expected. The Municipal Capital Improvement Fund allocated $1,250,000 for the completion of the work — so the remaining funds will go toward future projects.

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.