Lawton's Grand Vision: The Museum Renovation Unpacks Its Share of Unforeseen Costs

Well, the Lawton City Council, ever vigilant over our city's coffers, found themselves once again navigating the financial intricacies of progress this week. Specifically, the much-anticipated renovation of the Lawton Museum of Glass and History has hit a few bumps on the road to completion, leading to, you know, some additional expenses.

In a recent meeting, council members gave the green light to nearly a hundred thousand dollars in extra spending for the ambitious museum project. Honestly, these things happen with old buildings, don't they? They hold so many stories, but sometimes, those stories come with hidden chapters, particularly in the electrical wiring and underfoot.

A substantial chunk of that new outlay, $62,000 to be precise, is earmarked for electrical upgrades. It turns out the original system just wasn't going to cut it for modern museum displays and current code requirements. It was a unanimous decision for that one; safety and functionality, you could say, are non-negotiable. Then there's another $11,940 for architect fees, because when a project evolves, so too does the need for expert guidance. Again, no argument there among the council.

But the flooring, ah, the flooring. That was a slightly different story. An additional $24,570 was requested for new floors throughout the museum. The reason? Once the old display cases were removed, the existing floor, well, it was revealed to be a patchwork of unevenness and damage. A bit of an archaeological dig, if you will, but one that exposed a need for comprehensive replacement. This particular item saw a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Sean Scott casting the sole dissenting voice, perhaps questioning the extent or timing, but ultimately, the majority carried the day.

Let's talk numbers, shall we? The original project was robustly funded, with $1.25 million stemming from a bond issue and an extra $250,000 from a grant, totaling a neat $1.5 million. The good news, if you're wondering about the city's pocketbook, is that these funds primarily come from our hotel/motel tax revenues and other grants, rather than, say, directly from property taxes. So, these new costs, while substantial, are being absorbed within that broader funding strategy.

Council members Robert Pebeahsy, Kelly Harris, Randy Willess, and Mary Ann Burkes were all present and part of the discussion, weighing the necessity of these additions against the overall vision for the museum. It's a balance, after all, between staying on budget and ensuring a truly world-class facility for our community.

So, what's the timeline looking like now? The aim is still to have the Lawton Museum of Glass and History ready to welcome visitors by late 2024 or early 2025. It's a significant undertaking, one that promises to enrich our city's cultural landscape. And despite these little financial detours, the end goal — a beautifully renovated space to preserve and share our history — remains firmly in sight.