COUNTY CONSIDERS GAZEBO REPAIRS

  

Should the gazebo in front of the Washington County Courthouse be repaired, replaced or simply be torn down?

That was a question before the Washington County Commissioners at today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting.

County Judge John Brieden said that since the gazebo had some basic floor repairs just a few years ago, it has now become apparent that there is still a structural weakness in the gazebo.  He also asked architect Charles Keese if there was enough practical and historical value in the gazebo to do anything at all.

Keese said a similar gazebo in the same place at the previous Victorian courthouse.  He said also that the flooring needs some basic structural improvements and the steps have become unsafe.

County resident Bill Neinast told the Commissioners that the gazebo really has no significant historical meaning and its use has long since past.  He noted that the gazebo was once the site of band concerts and political rallies.  He says now there is the Dietrich Amphitheater at Hohlt Park for concerts and few political rallies ever take place there now that there is television and air conditioning.  Neinast urged the Commissioners to table the matter until they can determine the cost but he said he didn’t want any of his tax money to pay for a new or repaired gazebo.

The County Commissioners agreed to further discuss the gazebo’s future.