Gazebo Roof Collapses at Armonk’s Wampus Brook Park; No Injuries
The roof of the gazebo in Armonk’s Wampus Brook Park collapsed late Wednesday morning at least temporarily throwing into question how long it will be before the structure is restored and usable.
Collapse of the roof came as the contractor hired earlier this year by the Town of North Castle, Prime Building Services, Inc. of White Plains, was in the midst of making major repairs to the deteriorating 47-year-old gazebo in the town park off Maple Avenue.
“I received a phone call (on Wednesday) that while they were working on it the supports failed and the roof collapsed,” said Town Administrator Joan Goldberg.
Goldberg said the contractor had previously reported to officials that the structural supports were deficient, with the steel collars around its concrete columns having badly eroded. That resulted in an original restoration job costing nearly $34,000, which already had been approved by the town board.
The board was scheduled to vote on a requested change order of an additional $17,650.39 at its meeting Wednesday night because Prime Building Services discovered that more extensive repairs were needed. The board held off taking action until officials could assess the full scope of any additional damage caused by the collapse and an upcoming investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can be completed. It was not immediately known how long that investigation might take.
There is the possibility that costs could be recovered by either the town’s or the contractor’s insurance carrier, Goldberg said.
North Castle police were notified of the collapse at 11:42 a.m., according to the department’s blotter. No one was hurt in the mishap, officials said. The area around the gazebo was quickly cordoned off making the site inaccessible to the public.
Discussion at Wednesday night’s board meeting centered on whether the town should authorize the change order and making sure the gazebo looks the same when work is completed. Goldberg initially recommended that the board move ahead with the resolution because it is work that has to be done if it is to be restored.
However, with the condition of the roof and the foundation unknown, the board decided to wait until it learned what damage may have occurred. Meanwhile, Goldberg, Councilman Barry Reiter and Recreation Supervisor Matt Trainor will work together to figure out how to proceed.
“We’re going to hold off with that change order and Barry’s going to take the lead from the board’s side if there’s any additional work that needs to be done,” said Supervisor Michael Schiliro.
A crane would likely have to lift the roof off of the foundation, officials said. Trainor said given the roof’s size and weight he expects to find additional problems.
“The possibilities of damage to that brick foundation are strong,” he said.
The gazebo, one of the most recognizable symbols of the town, was built through the efforts of the Armonk Lions Club in 1967. There was work done to shore up the structure in 1997 and steps were added to the front in 2002, said Armonk resident Ed Woodyard, a chief organizer for the town’s Frosty Day, which culminates with the Christmas tree lighting at the gazebo.
Woodyard said its design was created to have an 1870s or 1880s look so it would blend in with the town’s nearby Historic District. On Wednesday night he called the gazebo “a treasure” for the town and urged officials to restore it to its original condition, including keeping the distinctive decorative balls, which were slated to be removed by the contractor.
“The design and the integrity and the beauty of that gazebo defines who we are as a town and it’s a symbol of who we are and it has to be restored that way,” Woodyard said.
It has also been used for the Lions Club Fol-de-Rol in early June and the Cider and Donut Festival in September, among other events, and has been a popular spot for wedding pictures.
Placed in immediate peril is the Small Town Theatre Company’s free summer concert, which is slated for alternating Saturday nights in July and August starting on July 12 at 8 p.m.
Goldberg said she has asked Trainor to reach out to the county and other municipalities to see if a stage or band shell is available to be brought in.
Small Town Theatre Company co-founder Sam Morell said as long as a roughly 25-foot stage and some lights can be obtained by the town and set up, the concerts should go off as scheduled.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
