Island Inn Update: New Year Clean-Up
"We're prettying it up," said Ocracoke's county commissioner Tom Pahl, who is also on the Island Inn Steering Committee.
He was speaking at last week's Civic Affairs meeting sponsored by Ocracoke Civic and Business Association.
Next up is clearing the rubble. The steering committee contracted to have the big slabs and chunks of concrete chipped into usable fill, which will then be used in the future rehab project of the former Island Inn. Tom projects that the $8000 chipping job will produce $20,000 worth of product. Win-win! Chipping will begin ASAP.
After that? The Island Inn/Odd Fellows Lodge renovation project will get mothballed while a major fundraising campaign gets underway. Tom guess it will take two years to collect the 1/2 million he estimates for repairs and rejuvenation. (To catch up on the project's conception and development, click here.)
This is a big, expensive, longterm undertaking, but, says Tom "it has a lot of momentum."
(If you've been wondering about the gazebo, you're not alone. It's lying on its side and will do so for some time. The steering committee does intend to re-erect it someday.)
Meanwhile, planning proceeds for public restrooms on the Island Inn property. Stay tuned for that story tomorrow!
