POWELL — The sheep may be gone, but the historic Bennett Farm barn they once called home will have a new life in Powell’s future park.
Powell City Council approved a resolution allowing City Manager Andy White to enter into an agreement with Frontier Timber Framing LLC allowing the company to dismantle, store and reassemble the barn.
The city plans to reuse the historic structure as a community event barn with classroom space for parks and recreation programming.
“I’m really excited, not that it’s coming down, but what it will be on the Bennett Farm,” said Mayor Heather Karr. “For those of us who have lived here a while, the red barn where the sheep lived is a part of Powell.”
White added the city received three bids for the project, but ultimately selected Frontier Timber Framing LLC, which will be paid up to $87,441 for the work.
“As we think about the changing landscape at Bennett, most notably the new pathway that’s coming in, some of the structures on this site will have to be removed because of structural integrity issues,” White told council.
“Thankfully, the structural bones of the old barn are solid. And with this, the proposal allows for the disassembly of that material and it being catalogued for a redevelopment opportunity at a future site.”
The money will come out of the city manager’s discretionary budget, but Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Tyler said other future buildings on the park site could be candidates for grant funding.
Frontier Timber can begin work immediately, White said.
Thomas Coffey asked how the city plans to keep residents informed about work at Bennett Farm, particularly those who don’t attend council meetings or follow the city on social media.
“I think that’s of utmost importance to let the residents know that aren’t here tonight, or that don’t get on social media or whatever, what’s going on,” Coffey said, suggesting the city install a sign at the property.
Tyler said the city plans to do just that, while Karr pointed residents to the city’s website for additional information about the project.
During public comment, Megan Dowdell expressed her gratitude for the city preserving the barn.
“I can remember playing in that barn as a kid. I have so many good memories of sheep being birthed, petting the sheep. So I just really commend everyone for keeping that barn, or what you can keep of that barn, because there are so many good memories I have,” she said.
Council also recently approved the Bennett Farm Park master plan and will continue to look into final design plans and refined cost estimates as the process moves along.
