Marblehead Historical Commission OKs $800G renovations for Abbot Hall

MARBLEHEAD – The Historical Commission has approved an estimated $80,000 in renovations for the Maritime Museum at Abbot Hall – and they are hoping to get the room ready in time for the Fourth of July weekend.The commission was hoping to have the renovation complete by Memorial Day. However, the project cost estimate of $67,650 assumed that the commission would cover the cost of repainting the room and replacing the 40-year-old carpet with a light-colored commercial grade carpet separately. At the urging of commission Chairman Chris Johnson, the commission unanimously approved the project with an $80,000 limit, to cover the additional work.The project will move forward along two paths. The commission can decide on most of the changes but the carpet and painting must go through a public bidding process.The scope of the work impacted the deadline. The commission originally sought to have the work completed by Memorial Day, but it now appears that the work will be done by the Fourth of July weekend, in time for the Marblehead Arts Festival and the summer tourist season.Johnson said the commission needs to monitor its progress during the March and April meetings to see if the July deadline is still feasible.If not, he said, “We should delay until the fall.”The chairman said he has been working with Town Procurement Officer Becky Curran and it appears that work could begin April 10 and preview parties could be held May 24-28.However, he admitted, “That?s an idealized schedule and if we get done by June 27 we?ll be doing pretty well.”Commissioner Don Gardner suggested that every effort be made to hold to the May 24 deadline and Johnson supported that advice.