2010 News Archive 

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Autrey Mill getting a facelift

The City is ramping up its "to-do" list at the venerable Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

In cooperation with the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Association, City crews plan to work on the Old Warsaw Church, the Green Country Store, the Pole Barn, the Program Barn, and the Summerour House. The City also plans several improvements to an apartment attached to the Visitors Center. The work will be scheduled to ensure minimal disruption to Autrey Mill's numerous programs.

In late May, City staff inspected the various buildings and returned with a two-page report that itemized things that need to be repaired or upgraded. The inspection team prioritized the list balancing the most urgent needs with available money. The City has $50,000 budgeted for the improvements. Work is set to start in August and will probably be finished in September.

Identified needs included things like moving propane tanks at the Program Barn, upgrading its heating and air conditioning system, installing emergency lighting at the Summerour House, and bolstering the foundation of the Tenant Farmhouse. The Visitors Center apartment will require several projects, such as securing handrails, correcting electrical and plumbing problems, and repairing the roof.

The City will also be ensuring the buildings are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City has secured a federal grant to pay for improving ADA access not only at Autrey Mill but also at the other City parks as well.