For Immediate Release | February 15, 2019

Avon Town Council Approves Project
to Relocate and Preserve Hahnewald Barn

Avon, CO – The Town Council voted 4-3 to proceed with Phase 1 of the Hahnewald Barn project at its regular meeting on February 12, 2019.  Council directed Town staff to proceed with the $1.6 million Scheme B, Phase I project as presented by Andersen Hallas Architects.  Phase I involves moving the Barn structure to the former Town Hall site, demolishing the former Town Hall structure, constructing a permanent foundation, placing the barn structure on the new foundation and replacing the roof covering.  Phase I does not include any additional improvements. 
 
The Hahnewald Barn is currently on the Upper Eagle River Water and Sanitation District property and must be moved or demolished by June 1 of this year. Council has explored options for saving the Hahnewald Barn for the last several years. Council members voting for the project felt that preservation of the Hahnewald Barn is vital to Avon’s heritage and to enhancing Avon’s character and attractiveness for its economic base. 
 
The Town has existing funding to complete Phase I of the Hahnewald Barn project.  Due to public input at the January Council meetings, Council requested additional lower cost options which resulted in a proposed phased approach. Council directed Town staff to prepare permit applications, prepare contracts to move the Hahnewald Barn and to conduct additional design work, and to request bids to demolish the old Town Hall.  Staff was also directed to explore all available grant opportunities.
 
Council provided direction to use existing funds set aside for the Tract G - Town Owned Properties Plan, funds from the Avon Urban Renewal Authority, and to defer the demolition of the old Avon Fire Station building in the Town’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP).  The Avon Urban Renewal Authority funds are derived from tax increment financing in the West Avon Urban Renewal Plan area and the Town’s CIP funds are derived from the Town’s 2% real estate transfer tax.  No new or increased taxes are required for Phase I of the Hahnewald Barn project.  The Town’s 5-Year CIP contains several projects scheduled for 2019 and 2020 which may need to be reviewed and potentially deferred to accommodate the Hahnewald Barn project.
 
The Avon Historic Preservation Advisory Board intends to pursue additional fundraising now that the Hahnewald Barn project is clearly defined.  Actual project costs will depend upon the contract for the barn moving company, contract to demolish the old Town Hall building, and contacts for construction of the new foundation. Council is expected to review the barn moving contract and contract for additional design services at the March 12, 2019 Council meeting.
 
For more information, please contact Preston Neill, Acting Town Manager, at 970-748-4404 or pneill@avon.org.

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