Wildwood’s historic Baker House will undergo an analysis of remaining needed upgrades, city commissioners decided Monday night.
Commissioners followed social distancing practices for their meeting with some of them calling in from other rooms. The meeting was accessible to the public through the GoToMeeting internet program.
While approving $14,900 for rotting wood repairs, they decided the comprehensive evaluation is needed.
Commissioner Joe Elliott said he wanted to know what further work is necessary.
“I’m not comfortable not knowing if there are other renovations that need to be done,” he said, adding that the complete analysis is the best way to determine that.
City Manager Jason McHugh said he may contract with a company with expertise in historic building restoration to complete the evaluation.
“What the commissioner (Elliott) is asking for, we can certainly get that done,” he said.
Since the city took over the Baker House eight years ago, Mayor Ed Wolf said the back and front porches have been repaired, windows replaced and the kitchen renovated.
The rotting wood repairs will be done by Specialized Property Services of Tampa and will be funded by the Baker House Restoration Fund.
McHugh said the company was the only bidder after two other companies declined to submit bids. He said there has been difficulty getting contractors to bid on Baker House projects.
Baker House was built by State Sen. David Baker in about 1890 on what then was a 1,200-acre property. The home was donated to Wildwood in 2012 after most of the property was sold to The Villages for development.
Christmas tours and festivals are popular events at the historic house, which is furnished with original furniture and donated antique items.