Committee approves sole‑source design work to shore up Lockwood Matthews Mansion conservatory

The committee approved hiring David Scott Parker Architects on a sole‑source basis to design repairs to the Lockwood Matthews Mansion conservatory, where staff discovered rotting vertical and horizontal support members requiring prompt stabilization and reconstruction.

David West Morland, a member of the historical commission, and Doug Himmstead, president of the mansion association, described the conservatory’s deteriorated supports and said temporary measures are in place but not a long‑term fix. Staff said design fees are estimated at about $50,000 plus reimbursables and that a $1.25 million capital request for construction work is currently in the proposed 2026–27 budget. "We're hoping for the support. We want to move forward with this sooner versus later," a mansion representative said.

Committee members emphasized speed to limit further damage and noted that the funding strategy reduces the next‑year request because some funds already exist in a special account. Staff said the procurement and contract paperwork would be finalized in coordination with purchasing and the mayor’s office.

The committee approved the sole‑source request and will forward the procurement steps as required by city policy.