Addison Township received two bids to move the Arnold Schoolhouse to its new home and C & A Construction Co., from Allenton, Mich. will be moving the school within the next 2-3 weeks.
C & A had the lowest bid at $9,700, but Supervisor Bruce Pearson said the company hadn’t gone through the route the school will be moved like the other bidders.
At July 20’s board of trustees meeting, Pearson was given the okay to move forward with C & A.
Bidder, Laraway & Son’s Housemoving, from Pullman, Mich., bid $24,000. ‘I want to make sure we are comparing apples to apples in the difference in the prices,? Pearson told the board.
Trustee Ed Brakefield motioned to allow Pearson to enter into a contract not to exceed $10,000 and for the money to be taken from the Arnold School Restoration Project budget.
Pearson took C & A along the route from the schoolhouse’s current location on Lakeville Rd. to the Water Shed Park, the eight miles.trip, last week.
‘They said it was great and it would be no problem,? said Pearson, yesterday afternoon.
C & A didn’t make any changes to their original bid but requested the roof be collapsed or taken off before the move. They will start preparing the school for its journey once the building has been cleared.
Volunteers from Lakeville United Methodist Church will begin clearing out the school starting tomorrow, Thursday.
The board believes Arnold School will be in good hands with C&A, as the company has successfully moved and restored historic buildings, including foundation and structural repair to restore the Historical Ortonville Mill and moved Grange Hall in Armada to the Armada Fairgrounds.
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More good news for Arnold School lovers: the township received more donations than expected during the Strawberry Festival, July 18. Basement excavation, footings and rock work have been donated by folks within the township.
It was noted, that Lakeville Inn volunteered to cover the rock and materials up to $2,000.
But, there’s more . . .
‘A gentleman who restored the courthouse in Lapeer stepped forward and said, ‘I would love to come and be help you for free,? Pearson said, adding the individual also has teacher and student desks to donate.
‘He has lots of memorabilia and would like to give them to us because that’s his hobby,? Pearson said. ‘He likes to restore schoolhouses.?
They also accepted a donation for pressure washing, painting, and putting on a new roof within a matter of a few days.
‘We have a wonderful township and everybody has stepped up,? Pearson said. ‘We have a lot of talent in this township that we haven’t tapped into yet. I noticed the word is starting to get around because everyone is avoiding me.?
Other fund-raisers discussed included ‘steak on the lake? and spaghetti dinners.
Now that the C & A is set to move the schoolhouse, the township can purchase it for $1 from Addison Community Church.