Community Betterment Pitches 46 Depot Window Restoration Project
By Connie Whitlock
Publishing Editor
Standing before the council was Randy Miller, representing Community Betterment, the nonprofit organization that leases the historic 1903 train depot. Miller’s message to the council was clear: the depot windows are deteriorating, the repairs are complex, and properly preserving them will require a significant investment.
“I think we would all agree that the historic depot is the centerpiece of downtown,” Miller told the council. “It’s a valuable thing. It was built in 1903.”
The proposal presented to the council totaled $298,001 for the full replication of historic wood windows. The plan calls for insulated glass, true divided light glazing, and Sapele mahogany, a dense hardwood selected to mirror the strength and appearance of the original timber. The windows would be painted, single-hung, with the lower sash operable.
The full proposal covers 46 total window units at the historic depot. Of those, 12 would be completely new window units, while the remaining openings involve sash replication and restoration of existing frames. When the council discussed the cost of “all 46 windows,” they were referring to the entire building scope, including both floors.
However, an alternate option focusing only on the second-floor units came in at $127,809. The base estimate does not include the disposal of the existing window materials or the abatement of any lead- or asbestos-containing components, a detail that drew concern during discussion.
“The windows themselves are an environmental can of worms,” Miller said. “The paint has lead. The actual caulking that goes around the window itself has asbestos.” Rather than attempting partial repairs, the proposal involves fully replicating the units to match the originals.
“Each piece is CNC routed to look exactly like the original piece,” Miller explained. “They claim that they can get this particular version of mahogany… that is very dense.” He noted that deterioration is most severe upstairs, saying the second-floor windows are essentially gone. If prioritization becomes necessary, he acknowledged that level would likely come first.
City staff identified a Missouri State Parks historic preservation grant that could cover 60 percent of the project cost, leaving the city responsible for a 40 percent match. Community Betterment has already secured a $15,000 grant from Union Pacific to apply toward that match.
Miller recognized the financial reality facing the council. “I spent a long career working with the City of Pleasant Hill, and I know these decisions are very difficult things,” he said.
Council members questioned the cost per window, explored whether historic-profile aluminum alternatives might be less expensive, and asked whether material changes could impact the depot’s contributing status within the historic district. It was also clarified that even if the city pursued the grant, it would not be locked into this contractor; a formal bidding process would still be required.
Resident Carla Murray urged the council to consider less expensive, historically profiled aluminum options. “There are historical options,” Murray said. “One of those options is an aluminum window that is called a historic profile window, and it is made specifically to mimic the old wood windows. They say you can’t tell the difference from the street… I do think it is something you could consider, especially on the second floor.”
The discussion came immediately after a work session that emphasized the city’s tightening financial position. In light of those budget realities and the need for more information, the council chose to table the project for now, signaling a desire for additional options before committing local funds.
Documents at Council:
https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/pleashilmo-meet-3b8bd250afc34e37a6ab3c6a53516159/ITEM-Attachment-001-346029b0280545ceb4bc26b1af5f4776.pdf
https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/pleashilmo-meet-3b8bd250afc34e37a6ab3c6a53516159/ITEM-Attachment-001-ca0139c7ed234919a2ddc4432069fcb1.pdf