Town Hall Historic Door Restoration Project

Opening the Doors to Preservation: Town Hall Historic Door Restoration Project

Preserving the Past, Supporting the Future: The Town of Buena Vista seeks to restore the original 1883 front doors of its Historic Town Hall, a significant cultural landmark and vital municipal facility located at the intersection of Main Street and U.S. Highway 24. These doors, showing signs of warping, air gaps, hardware deterioration, and limited accessibility that compromise both the energy efficiency of the building and its ADA usability. This project is part of the Town’s broader commitment to preserving historical structures, promoting community identity, and supporting economic vitality in the East Main Street corridor. The restoration enhances both cultural heritage and practical functionality in alignment with Buena Vista’s Comprehensive and Economic Development Plans.

Restoration with Integrity and Accessibility: To restore and preserve the historic front doors of Town Hall by addressing structural damage, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring accessibility, while maintaining the architectural and historical integrity of the building.

Bringing the Doors Back to Life: Step by Step:

• Off-site restoration of both door leaves including:

  • Repair of damaged wood

  • Addition of top extensions to eliminate perimeter gaps

  • Refinishing of interior and exterior surfaces

  • Restoration or replacement of hardware

• On-site work including:

  • Installation of weatherstripping

  • Structural adjustments to resolve door warping

  • Hardware installation (new accessible handle on primary door; restoration of historic handle on secondary door)

  • Material allowance for historic hardware replacement

• Excludes glazing, full jamb restoration, or complete sanding

Collaboration for Community Preservation:

• Town of Buena Vista – Project applicant and fiscal agent

• Buena Vista Board of Trustees – Oversight and adherence to design guidelines

• Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) – Mini-grant administrator

• Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) – Funding partner

• Local residents and businesses – Indirect beneficiaries of historic preservation and pedestrian enhancements

• Visitors and tourists – Users of East Main Street historic corridor

The Roadmap to Restoration:

• UAACOG Board Approval and Contract Execution: Expected mid-2024

• Project Start: Upon full execution of agreement (estimated Summer 2024)

• Project Completion: On or before October 31, 2025, in accordance with UAACOG and DOLA reimbursement requirements

• Final Reimbursement Submission: October 2025 (following invoicing and proof of payment)