Brady Lodge work almost done

Restoration of Brady Lodge, located in Bay Court Park off Andersonville Road, is nearing completion as the Independence Township Board voted last week to accept a quote to complete electricity throughout the building.
“It’s mostly completed now,” said township Trustee Ron Ritchie. “With the lighting, it’ll make it so we can start having events there now.”
Though the building has belonged to the township for a number of years, Ritchie said they’ve only used it for storage in the past.
“It’s a cool building and about four years ago we had to make a decision, we either had to tear it down or put money in it to fix it back up,” he said, citing a leaking roof, broken windows, and vandalism.
“Basically for the last couple years we’ve been working to restore it and make it a usable venue people can rent and have activities at or we can have public events at,” he said.
The Brady Lodge was originally built in the 20s as a Boy Scout retreat.
“It’s a historic building with attractive features,” Ritchie said.
They hope future outdoor markets and events at the lodge will benefit from having the option to move inside during inclement weather. The building hasn’t been used for purposeful activities since the ‘70s, he said, and it should be usable this spring to rent out or schedule events and activities.
– Jessica Steeley

Roof repair on old pump house

Hunt Construction Company was awarded the bid to repair and re-shingle the roof of the Northcrest Condominium pump house during last week’s Independence Township meeting.
The pump house was abandoned and essentially empty, however it was determined the township owns and controls the site. The cost of the repair is not to exceed $5,000, as opposed to the estimated tens of thousands of dollars it would cost to demolish the building, according to the township.
– Jessica Steeley