MAIN STREET

Landmark Geneseo building in line for renovations

The Geneseo village and town boards agreed at a joint meeting Monday to expend a total of $435,150 for renovations for the exterior of the Geneseo Building.

In approving this latest cost figure, village and town were exceeding a previously agreed-upon $330,000 budget for the project. The work will entail replacement of windows; brickwork cleaning, repairing and repointing; exterior painting, and restoration of the front columns.

The Geneseo Building at 119 Main St., houses the village police and clerical departments and the court for both village and town.

Six contractor bids had been opened Jan. 31. The lowest, from Window Specialists of Lancaster, was for $380,000 and was accepted after architectural consultant Jon Norris performed post-bid screening which indicated a satisfactory performance history for the contractor.

The higher $435,150 amount adds two optional alternatives whose inclusion was encouraged by Norris. This first option entails replacement of the upper story front windows, including four smaller arch windows. The second entails reinforcement and preservation of the structural integrity of the front supporting columns, including — pending board decision — bluestone pladding which would rework the lower column bases.

In encouraging the added frontal work, Norris suggested there will be an overall cost savings, since scaffolding would not have to be erected a second time when the work would have to be done in the near future.

When restoring the brick, the contractor will be attempt to maintain a balance of color blends as they presently exist — and vary somewhat for each particular side of the building. Other items adding cost to the project are sealing, minor telephone and electrical line relocation, replacement or repair of upper window louvers, and second story exterior doors. Replacement of basement windows will be left for a later time, since that work will not involve scaffolding.

A final item of expense related to a recent requirement that electrical power lines be removed from the building while work is underway. There will be four days of intensive work when power to the building will be supplied by a portable generator

While earlier village-town sharing of Geneseo Building maintenance — most notably the recent roof tile replacement — has been apportioned on a 60:40 basis, this latest project is being shared 75:25 with the Town of Geneseo contributing a not-to-exceed $100,000. In approving the full $435,150 cost, the town has committed the full $100,000 to the project, with the balance being borne by the village.

New phone system

Another, albeit more modest project was authorized by the village board at its Jan. 28 meeting. This is a $12,127 general fund expenditure for a new telephone system for the Geneseo Building offices, including courts and police.

The new phone system is being supplied by Relcomm. It will provide six lines and 25 telephones throughout the building. The hitherto unsupplied basement historian’s office will now have a phone. The new system, including all new wiring, will replace a 25-year-old predecessor which had no ability to transfer calls between departments.

‘Strollin’ to Colon’ event

At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Geneseo Village Board was approached by Tina Cottone, Ginny Gullo and Chris Meyer, staff members of Strong Hospital and promoters for the second annual “Strollin for Colon” 5K walk/run event. Last year’s first event faced terrible weather, but still managed to attract 51 runners, 125 walkers and raise $17,000 for colon cancer research.

The 2013 event will take place April 20, beginning and finishing at the Cottone Auction House on Court Street with a route taking in Main, Chestnut, Second, North, Highland and Center streets. Registration will be at 8:30 a.m. with the run commencing at 10 a.m. and the walk at 10:05 a.m. Activities will continue until 3:30 p.m. and include music from Trilogy, a silent auction, chicken barbecue and educational presentations.

The village board gave its nod, noting that special insurance certification will probably not be necessary, since the event begin and ends on private property. However, as a matter of village policy, a fee for any needed police traffic control services will be charged. (Livingston County Sheriff services are being provided at the starting point.)