Outer Banks Group Receives Funding for Bodie Island Lighthouse and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Renovations

Date: April 29, 2009
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

The Outer Banks Group announces the receipt of funding, from the 2009 Omnibus Budget bill approved by Congress and signed by President Obama, for restoring the Bodie Island Lighthouse and renovating facilities at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.  These projects are being funded through the Line Item Construction process within the National Park Service (NPS).

Funding for the Bodie Island Lighthouse was requested in 2006 and again 2007, but was not included in the NPS budget until this year.  The lighthouse and oil house will undergo a significant restoration that will address structural and safety issues.  Most notably, restoration efforts will repair or replace corroded metal features around the gallery and lantern decks, repair and strengthen the stairs, repair masonry and stone, and rehabilitate portions of the floor, windows, and framing, upgrade electrical systems and ensure lightning protection.  The project will likely begin this August and last approximately 18 months during which time the BodieIslandLighthouseVisitorCenter and bookstore will be open.  In addition to restoring the lighthouse, the lens will undergo restoration offsite and re-installed when the lighthouse renovations are completed.  At the end of the project, the lighthouse should be open to the public for climbing and tours.

Funding was also provided to renovate the VisitorCenter, Headquarters, and The Lost Colony Activities Building located at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.  Renovation will include repair of interior and exterior structural damage, removal of asbestos tile and insulation, replacement of ventilation and HVAC systems, and removal of mold and mildew.  The project will begin in late summer 2009 and last approximately 12-14 months.  Temporary facilities will be established onsite to serve as office space, visitor center, and bookstore.  FortRaleigh National Historic Site will remain open during the construction.

Parties interested in the submitting bids for either of the two contracts can find the solicitation documents at: http://ideasec.nbc.gov under solicitation numbers N2011090002 and N2011090003. 

-NPS-