As Published on the Abilene Reporter-News on Wednesday, May 6 by Brian Bethel
The future looks bright for the future site of Abilene Heritage Square, and now so does the exterior of the former Lincoln Middle School/Abilene High School.
The building’s masonry is getting a good soaking this week as crews pressure wash the exterior brick, knocking years off the familiar facade and restoring it to a more brilliant sheen.
Meanwhile, aluminum letters on the building’s east front proclaiming the site as "Lincoln Middle School" have been removed so that portion of the underlying masonry can be cleaned.
"They will be safely stored," Abilene architect Bill Minter said. "At present, there is not a plan for re-using these sign letters in the project."
The future home of a new cultural center for the community, and the home of a new public library, the project, located at 1699 South First St., will see renovations of its 1923 main building and 1929 gymnasium.
New construction sensitive to the historic structures will be added to the west side of the academic building, creating a contemporary learning center.
Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News
The finished project will include a number of amenities including an extension of The Grace Museum, a 700-seat auditorium and the Stone Owl Institute program among its contents.
Minter said there’s much going on at the site, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The crews are observing social distancing, for instance working singly on a task when they might be working in pairs under normal circumstances," Minter said.
Removal of old electrical elements is mostly complete, as is installation of electrical connections needed for construction.
Inspection of mortar and joints with stone components for needed repair is ongoing with the masonry cleaning crew, he said.
In the interior the lowered ceiling grid is removed and temporary lighting is in.
"Next step will be selective removal of interior elements that will not be part of the final project," he said.
The construction fence is complete, while existing security and intrusion detection systems inside and outside have been expanded and are operational to keep the site safe.
"Cleanup of the site for a fresh start is mostly complete," he said, and several outbuildings and air conditioning structures have been removed.
Meetings with consultants, community panels and library personnel continue, Minter said, while the Stone Owl program for high school students, led by Abilene historian Jay Moore, is "well into its first of three 2020 sessions."
Right now, those meetings are being held virtually, Minter said.
Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News
Estimated cost of planned full renovation has been pegged at around $41.5 million, which includes all furnishings, and a $1.5 million endowment to help fund long-term maintenance costs.
The money is being raised through foundation and government grants, as well as gifts from individuals, families and companies.