Hueston Woods lodge was constructed for $2.74 million and opened in the late 1960s. Since then, user needs and expectations have evolved as well as system efficiencies due to new technology, according to the request for funds made by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which oversees management of the lodge.
“The building systems have reached, and exceeded in some cases, their expected useful, maintainable life which creates issues with public safety,” the ODNR request states.
The funding would be for the first phase to develop a master plan for the lodge in conjunction with ODNR’s strategic facility plans.
“ODNR is in the process of bringing on a consultant who will assess the lodge and give an approximate cost of the renovations,” said Brooke Betit, ODNR parks and watercraft public information officer. “Currently, exact renovations are not known, but an assessment and analysis will be conducted. Once the condition of the roof, mechanical systems and structure is known, we will know how to prioritize those projects and what the cost will be.”
Schorr Architects Inc. of Dublin has been selected to complete the assessment of the lodge, according to the state.
The timeline of the project is still in the early stages, according to Betit.
“The assessment will occur this fall,” she said. “After assessing what needs to be done, construction will probably begin in late 2017, although this is a rough estimate.”
ODNR is in the process of making a number of capital improvements to update, repair and renovate its facilities in all of Ohio’s 74 state parks. Hueston Woods and other state park lodges are operated by management companies hired by ODNR.
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