(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring the Jeffrey Mansion renovation plans, appeared in Bexley News on January 23, 2008)  2/07/08

Future of Jeffrey Mansion in hands of commission

By SARA JOHNSON

Members of the Jeffrey Mansion Commission have proposed to expand the mansion from 11,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet, creating more space for events. Improved mansion accessibility and controlled alcohol use could help the century-old mansion become self-sustaining, easing the financial burden on the city to keep the building in good repair.

Residents piled in the Jeffrey Mansion's garden room on Thursday to listen to the Jeffrey Mansion Committee's presentation on the proposed renovation plans up to $10.5 million in hopes to generate more revenue.

The Jeffrey Mansion Commission held its second public meeting for residents to discuss the future of the 101-year-old mansion and surrounding 32-acres of land donated to Bexley in 1941. The commission is working to turn the mansion into a self-sustaining facility -- currently the home of the city's parks and recreation department -- as it has deteriorated over the years.

Although the mansion could not be replaced for any amount of money, commission members want a renovated facility not only to be flexible in its present use, but to also be adaptable for future uses, said Chris Masoner, commission member and member of the city's recreation board.

"For the first time since the Jeffrey Mansion and Park was gifted to the city, we will actually intend to implement a defined financial plan for maintenance and hope that will make the park and the building self-sustained," Masoner said.

The commission is looking to expand the building from 11,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet. Estimated project costs total to $8.75 to $10.5 million, with $4 to $5 million for the mansion itself and $4.75 to $5.5 million for the park, said Kyle Albert of MSI.

The creation of a Bexley Community Foundation could form a fund that would not only providee capital funds to help in maintenance operation costs of the facility, but would also help carry the financial burden in the first couple years, commission member Pete Halliday said.

At the first public hearing Nov. 14, some residents formed a consensus that the mansion should be financially sustainable if it had more space for events, improved mansion accessibility and controlled alcohol use.

Others were against allowing the consumption of alcohol at the mansion.

"It seems to me that this is the worst mix in the world -- to mix alcohol with public parks," said Barb Greiner, Bexley recreation department supervisor. "Then when you take into consideration that this is our only significant park in Bexley ... I would just plead that you make these changes with some integrity."

Resident Sam Shamansky said he's concerned about drunken drivers leaving the mansion after a large event and questioned how the city would raise the funds to pay for the multi-million dollar project.

Ideas for funding that have been suggested so far involve a combination of public and private funds through public bond financing, private endowments, bond sales, state and local grants or the sale or gift of life insurance.

Those funds would support the expansion of the facility, but plans for expansion and renovation have not been finalized.

Officials have suggested finding space from the basement and closets currently used for storage. Additional sections could be installed permanently or the city could look at temporary additions such as a tent for a wedding.

The city would also need to look into installing an elevator, said Bob Loversidge, principal of Schooley Caldwell Associates. He also suggested using the courtyard by adding a glass roof to create another room able to hold between 150 to 170 people.

Other proposed plans for the surrounding grounds include sidewalks on both sides of the mansion's driveway as well as an improved drop-off to allow for more functionality, said Kyle Albert of MSI.

Additional parking on either the north or south side of the mansion is also a possibility. On the north side, around 85 parking spaces could be built whereas the south side could house about 40 parking spaces. Space for mansion parking falls around two acres including 132 total parking spaces, seven handicap spaces and a driveway. With the additional parking, the mansion would have around 225 parking spaces with 12 handicap spaces.

Reforestation is recommended to re-establish by planting new trees

"Preserving the woods was very important," said Donna Laidlaw, Jeffrey Mansion facilitator. "There was a strong feeling that our natural setting of major woodlands on these 32 acres is important to the community, and we all want to see it reserved to the best of our ability."

Resident Harvey Wasserman said that Jeffrey Mansion is a jewel and needs to be preserved how it is as a public facility.

"This is a park and I have to really challenge the general concept of the idea that Jeffrey Park has to become a commercial venture," Wasserman said. "This is a public facility, just like schools, and we don't expect the schools to turn a profit."

Heidi Ackley, who resides on Clifton Avenue, said those visiting the mansion often park in front of her house or block her driveway. Ackley added that the situation is dangerous when vehicles are trying to leave the mansion as children are around.

"Something has to happen with the parking; something has to happen with the flow," Ackley said.

The Jeffrey Mansion Commission plans on completing its work and reporting it to Bexley City Council next month.

"We will actually intend to implement a defined financial plan for maintenance and hope that will make the park and the building self-sustained,"

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