South Gates Restoration

Columbus Vignette, ca, 1960's, showing the original requirement for the monument and gateway juxtaposition.
Copyright owned by the Arter family

The south gates, consisting of two pedestrian gates and a central, vehicular gate, were constructed in 1870 and are the oldest feature of Goodale Park, and likely the oldest public art in Columbus.  For the past year, Friends of Goodale Park has been actively concerned with the deterioration of the gates.  We have consulted with various experts, including the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Randy Black of the City of Columbus Historic Preservation office, Columbus Landmarks Foundation, leading local architects and masonry restoration contractors, to evaluate the condition of the gates and plan their restoration.  Most importantly, we have had the benefit of Terry Sherburn's expertise in all things related to Goodale Park.  He has provided scaled drawings, mechanical specifications and details on the history of the gates from their installation in 1870 to the present day.

Original Condition of the Gateway Stonework and Lanterns, Illustrating a Wider Driveway
(The existing width is indicated by the vertical mark.)
Copyright and drawn by Terry Sherburn

Thanks to the generosity of The Community Festival, a removable bollard has been installed in the vehicular gateway to protect the gates immediately.  Friends of Goodale Park, working closely with Rick Miller of Recreation and Parks for the City of Columbus, will soon finalize the city's request for proposals (RFP) for the restoration of the stone columns and metal gates.  We expect that basic repairs will exceed $50,000.
 
Restoration of such amenities as missing capstones, curbstones, stone roller-ways and carriage steps, missing lanterns atop the columns, and broken or missing finials on the metal gates and rails, will likely double the cost to over $100,000.   Since this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to restore the gates, the RFP will also seek bids on these and other enhancements for the gates, all of which would return the gates to their original look and function. 

We have already received funding from the Neighborhood Partnership Program for $5,000 for gate repairs, and have received a commitment of funds from the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund for several capital projects in the park, including the gate.  Moreover, the city has committed $250,000 to improvements to the cap at Goodale and Park, which we hope will complement our efforts to restore the gates.  Additional funds are needed and Friends will pursue more funding through grants and fundraisers.   As the committee head for the south gate project, I would be happy to address any questions about this project;  please contact me at andyklein@lycos.com.