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OREGON CAVES Oregon Caves Chateau remodel worries backers Group fears work won't go far enough, and may drag on Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News OREGON CAVES NATIONAL MONUMENT — The National Park Service plans an $8 million to $10 million upgrade in 2018 for the Oregon Caves Chateau, work that everyone agrees is needed. But the Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau thinks the restoration plans will fall short of covering all the necessary upgrades and repairs and fears it will take too long to get the job done right. There's no dispute the 83-year-old chateau, adjacent to the entrance to the caves, is overdue for an overhaul. The multi-million-dollar question, however, pits functional improvements versus historical form. Superintendent Vicki Snitzler said the primary goal in the work is to resolve accessibility issues, allowing people to move from one floor to another with ramps, reconfigure fire escapes and improve fire alarm and sprinkler systems. New insulation will also enable overnight visitors to stay earlier and later in the season, she said. Snitzler said the Park Service hopes to implement its plan to upgrade life-safety and accessibility issues at the chateau during 2018, meaning visitors will need to seek alternative places to stay and other food options. "Early in the planning request, the Park Service looked at phasing the project, perhaps doing priority work in year one and then doing a second year's work five or so years later," she said. "Now, we're going to do the whole project at the same time." The 300-member Friends of the Oregon Caves, however, thinks that timeline doesn't take into account what it hopes will be an expanded project. The supporters fear that means the work, and closure, would carry over into a second year. The Park Service plan is a good start, said Sue Densmore, executive director of the group, but in letters to Snitzler and members of the Oregon congressional delegation, the group said the NPS approach doesn't address all the needs of the Chateau. "We believe all the work for the full interior and exterior, historic and structural restoration, including all the guest rooms, kitchen, public and meeting areas, historic Monterey furniture, and the re-creation of the balconies can be completed in one phase and one closure," Densmore said. "Our concern is if the chateau closes for two seasons it will be very difficult for the economy of the region. For the work to be deferred and the chateau to be closed again doesn't make any sense." The Friends estimate the total project cost at between $12 and $15 million, about 50 percent more than the Park Service plans. The group has enlisted members of Oregon's congressional delegation to encourage the Park Service to step up its level of funding during the current budget year. The key, Densmore said, is getting the Park Service to commit to doing the entire package, which she acknowledges will likely require financing beyond federal allocations. "We have interested donors, foundations and organizations willing to work with NPS," Densmore said. "Timeliness is an issue, the sooner we can raise the money and get the chateau restored and back open the better for everybody." Densmore said if the total funding isn't in place, later work could lead to another seasonal closure. "There is deferred maintenance on the kitchen, guest rooms, bathrooms, plumbing fixtures, lobby, and everything else that is not being considered," Densmore said. "We have located a mill in Riddle that can supply Port Orford cedar exterior siding for the project. We thought this was all going to be done in 2013. But the recession and many other things delayed action." The monument attracts an average of 80,000 to 85,000 visitors annually, with about 65,000 touring the caves, Snitzler said. The 20-plus guest rooms are booked solid from mid-May into the fall. Oregon Caves Outfitters, a component of the Illinois Valley Community Development Association, has handled concessionaire duties for a dozen years, providing seasonal employment for local residents. A second closure would not only make fundraising more difficult, but also would mean a loss of income for Josephine County residents, Densmore noted. "For the economy of the region, the value to the traveling public, the 80-plus regional jobs, plus the additional costs of construction, the Friends feel that this is what makes sense," Densemore said. "We appreciate this project that will begin to address the many years of deferred maintenance that has not been addressed since 2003 when the NPS took over ownership of the Chateau. "However, the Friends feel strongly that both Congress and the NPS should step up to do their part." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles .31. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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