- April 23, 2024
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The City Commission now knows how much rehabilitation would cost for the MacDonald House, 38 E. Granada Blvd., but a big question remains: What would the city do with the building? The answer will likely come later this year after staff research and more city meetings.
At a Feb. 21 workshop, Bender and Associates Architects presented the City Commission with the estimated cost of fixing up the house, providing a range of $1 million to $1.5 million.
But Burt Bender also told the commissioners the city would stand a good chance of getting a Department of Historic Resources grant of up to $500,000, with a $250,000 match, and an ECHO grant which requires a 50/50 match.
Bender has focused on rehabilitation, which means adopting it for a new usage, rather than restoration, which would be making it accurate to a certain time period.
If the second and third floors are used for anything other than residential, the building would require an elevator for public access, which would add $200,000 to the cost.
The 1903 structure is part of the city’s historic area that contains The Casements, Billy’s Tap Room and the site of the former Ormond Hotel. Historians say it helps “tell the story” of Ormond Beach.
Still undecided are the future uses of the building.
“I’m scratching my head,” said Commissioner Troy Kent. “We spend $1.5 million and what are we using the building for? I see people using The Casements daily. That was money well spent.”
Mayor Bill Partington mentioned possibilities such as using the first floor as a museum, second floor as offices and third floor as storage.
Bender suggested using the upper floors as residential, allowing the Ormond Beach Housing Authority to lease living space. Later, Partington said it could be residences for policemen, firemen or teachers.
Commissioner Dwight Selby said that local businessman Lewis Heaster has made a new offer involving a public/private partnership that should be looked at.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said city staff would prepare a list of options for the commissioners to consider.
“By the time we get to the budget workshops in June, we’ll have information,” she said.
The commissioners complimented the details and thoroughness of the report, including the historical data. Jim Miller, of Bender and Associates, said that Jonathan Lammers, a native of Ormond Beach, did much of the research.
“It was a labor of love for him,” Miller said,
While the final decision on the MacDonald House is months away, the public will likely see work done on the building in the near future. Several commissioners said the building has not been properly maintained and something should be done right away.
“There are rotten boards, fungus,” said Commissioner Rick Boehm. “There’s no excuse for the city to let the building get into this condition.”
The audience of about 80 people attending the public workshop applauded Boehm’s words.
“The building doesn’t look like Ormond Beach,” Boehm added. He said he did not want to wait for repairs.
Shanahan said she would have staff look at what needs to be done and get back to the commissioners.
