‘Band-Aid’ Applied To Depot Roof,But More Permanent Solution Needed

By Gordon HopkinsA patch has been applied to a portion of the dormer on the roof of the historic Rock Island Railroad Depot Museum to prevent further damage. However, Alan Dux of the Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS) described this as a “band-aid.”A severe storm hit much of Nebraska, including Jefferson County on Wednesday, December 15, including thunderstorms and high winds increased throughout the day, with gusts eventually reaching more than 80 miles per hour. The storm further damaged the roof of the Rock Island Depot. The roof was already in dire need of repair and this new damage makes the situation that much more urgent.Examinations of the roof prior to the storm indicated the Depot roof is leaking and will need to be replaced soon before more serious damage can occur inside the building.JCHS placed fencing on the west side of the building, to prevent anyone from being injured by falling debris.JCHS is preparing to advertise for bids, which would require specs for the building. At a meeting of the County Commissioners on Tuesday, January 10. Dux told Commissioners, “We found the architect’s plans from 1996. That saved us a bunch of time and a bunch of money.”The plans drawn up in 1996 were the result of a grant received to repair the Depot and, in Dux’s words, “Basically resurrect the Depot from the dead.”A bid for $259,357 (not including tax) came from Precision Construction and Roofing, a company based out California but provides services all across the country. Regulations require that the project be advertised for bids before one is accepted. It is the hope of Commissioners that a more local company would be interested in the job. Commissioner Mark Schoenrock asked, “This local contractor that is going to be (applying) the ‘band-aid.’ Would they be interested in the whole project?”Dux said, “No. They’re just going to help us get through the winter.”The historical society is now looking into possible fund-raising avenues and is accepting donations from the public.Dux said, “We’re establishing a roof account fund at the bank to keep our refund separate. We’re getting a few donations already.”

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