Last month a group of around 20 contractors from the region gathered at the Hall of Waters in Excelsior Springs to survey the damages that time and nature have inflicted on the historic structure. An urgent structural problem has been identified and has forced city officials to reconsider how to allocate a $500,000 dollar Save America’s Treasures grant that was awarded last year. The funds were to initially be utilized in making repairs to the Hall’s tower and exterior, but a fissure in the floor of the Hall of Springs within the Hall of Waters, (where the water bar is located) was discovered and revealed a serious threat to the structural integrity of the entire building.
Below the Hall of Springs, is the old swimming pool, but what most people don’t realize is that there is another level, even lower, which encircles the pool. Years of flooding and settling have corrupted the concrete and metal pillars located on this lowest level. The rebar inside the concrete pillars has rusted and caused a phenomenon known as oxide jacking, which pushes on the surrounding concrete forcing it to crumble and fall away. Structural engineers who inspected the Hall of Waters say that these weakening pillars could fail at any moment causing a monumental collapse. This threat of collapse is the reason the Hall of Springs has been closed to the public since last fall. The crack below the water bar is caused partly by the failing pillars but also by leaking radiator pipes that once flowed into the Hall of Springs. Although the pipes have long been shut off, the steam and water from the leaks caused calcification and other issues within the concrete weakening it further.
The $500,000 Save America’s Treasures Grant is a matching grant, meaning that the city will match that amount and bring the total invested in this project up to $1 Million dollars. The initial bidding process closed this past week, and three bids were received and are now under review. City Manager, Molly McGovern is hopeful bids can be approved so that the project can move forward quickly. Because each passing moment is another chance that Excelsior Springs could lose the Hall of Waters forever.
Meanwhile, McGovern along with other city officials, are working diligently to secure the funding needed to make these repairs and more. The cost to restore the Hall of Waters (not including the pool) to a stable and more useable space is approximately $16 Million. McGovern has met several times with State Representative, Doug Richey who is currently working on a piece of legislation that would fund the restoration of nationally significant structures within the state, including the Hall of Waters. Richey, who sits on the State Budget Committee for the House of Representatives and is the Chairman for the Subcommittee on Federal Stimulus Spending, feels like the legislation will pass from the House and has begun discussions with colleagues in the Senate to ensure the legislation passes. In a phone conversation with Representative Richey, he said having community input and support for this project would be “immeasurably helpful” in making the case to secure the funding needed for the Hall of Waters.
Richey said that citizens can show their support for the restoration efforts by reaching out directly to his office, or by contacting city officials. You may send your letters/emails of support to:
Doug Richey
MO House of Representatives
201 West Capitol Avenue
Room 207-B
Jefferson City MO 65101
E-Mail: Doug.Richey@house.mo.gov
Molly McGovern,
Excelsior Springs City Manager
201 E. Broadway
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
E-Mail: mmcgovern@excelsiorsprings.gov
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