Vaughn-Hansen Chapel in Marshfield to be Replaced with a Reflection Area
Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 -- 8:01 AM
(WDLB) -The Vaughn-Hansen Chapel in Marshfield's Hillside Cemetery would be torn down and replaced with a reflection area, under a recommendation endorsed last night by the city's Board of Public Works.Board members voted in favor of hiring Don Nikolai Construction to tear down the longtime landmark, which was built in the late 1970's as a place for graveside services. But the building has seen little use in recent years, and has fallen into disrepair. The structure needs new windows and doors, a new furnace and air conditioner, and there's lots of mold and mildew. The city at one time had talked about converting the 40-year-old structure into a columbarium. Those in favor of saving the building did seek funds from the city, but there was never any real support because of a lack of private dollars from those who wanted to save the structure.
A plan to raze the building and replace it with a reflection area surfaced last August, and city leaders later signed off on the proposal. Demolition costs at the time were estimated at 50-thousand dollars, with another 10-thousand to create the reflection center. But Nikolai's demolish bid came in at just under 15-thousand dollars, and that bid was recommended by the Board. The full Common Council will consider the proposal next week. Construction of the reflection center is anticipated next year.
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