Ozark National Scenic Riverways’s historic Big Spring dining lodge and cabins (Missouri) are expected to start their long-awaited restoration soon.
On April 6, Chicago’s Blinderman Construction Inc. received the contract for the rehabilitation project. Their project managers have already begun evaluating the structures, scouting the local area, and developing the project schedules.
This project will rehabilitate historic structures within the Big Spring Historic District, including the park’s dining lodge, cabins, and former museum building, according to a news release.
It also includes removing non-historic finishes, repairing or replacing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, interior and exterior renovations, abating hazardous materials and installing fire suppression systems.
The park will also address the accessibility requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), ensuring the interior and exterior of a cabin are fully ABA-compliant.
The project also includes the restoration of site features and the cultural landscape. These features are addressing water drainage issues; replanting native and historic vegetation; stabilization of historic and non-historic stone retaining walls; repairing or replacement of wooden stairs, stone steps, sidewalks, stone drinking fountains, and overlooks; repairing damage to the grounds caused by 2017 flooding; rehabilitation of trails, footbridges, and walkways; and associated accessibility improvements.
The Big Spring boat dock will have its materials replaced to match the historic district and will have an accessible route connected to the lodge area.
The cabins, dining lodge, and landscape rehabilitation will revitalize the historic district since it features one of Missouri’s first state parks and one of the country’s largest springs.
Once the project is finished, the park’s only concession-managed dining and lodging operations will give a historically rich, quality visitor experience in one of the premier places of the National Park System.
“We’re extremely excited for the project to begin and for the much-beloved lodge and cabins to once again welcome visitors from near and far,” Superintendent Jason Lott stated. “I look forward to seeing everyone at the Big Spring dining lodge for Sunday brunch as soon as it’s open for business!”
Once the project is underway, project updates will be posted on the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar and the park’s Facebook page, @ozarkriverways.
The featured image was taken from National Park Service.