VETTER WINDMILL AT GREENWOOD PARK

RECOMMENDATION:

The Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission recommends to the City Council to:

1. Restore the windmill, and that funds to do the restoration be solicited from private sources.

BACKGROUND:

The Vetter windmill was built in 1903. In June 1970 it was moved to Greenwood Park. At that time, it was dedicated to the citizens of Hermosa Beach from the "Friends of the Windmill." In 1979/80, the Public Works Department removed the steel frame, vane, sails and housing from the wooden tower for repairs. The sails were replaced, the steel frame and gear box were sand blasted and painted, and the gear oil was replaced. The wooden frame was chipped and painted. The unit was then reassembled.

In the winter of 1994/95 the high winds took their toll on the windmill. The steel frame and spokes are bent and out of round, several sails were destroyed and are missing. Most of the other sails have to be replaced pursuant to major corrosion damage at the attachment locations. The wooden platform upon which the windmill is mounted is totally deteriorated and must be removed and replaced.

The existing windmill was manufactured by Stover Manufacturing/Engineering from Freeport, Illinois, Patent #165939/13395. Stover has been out of business many years.

ANALYSIS:

Originally three options were presented to Parks & Recreation Commission, after discussion of all the options, the commission at their May 21, 1997 meeting opted to recommend repair of the windmill however, majority felt that it has to be privately funded. The commission favored allocating park funds to the park needs of the community.

Option One

• To remove and replace the windmill with a new windmill that turns.

The existing windmill is not in a working condition and has deteriorated to the point that it cannot be fixed to be made operable. It is suggested that if the Parks Commission feels that a windmill is a desirable feature in Greenwood Park that a new one be purchased and installed. Of course the replacement will not be the Vetter windmill and its value as a historical "piece" would be lost. The Vetter windmill suffered from a lack of maintenance. It is suggested that if a new one is purchased that the City have it serviced and maintained regularly. Costs to properly maintain the windmill is estimated to run $2,000/year.

The cost for the windmill mechanics including sails, vane, brace, gears, and 7{Special Char 180 in Font "Kino"} steel stub frame is $12,209.05, tax and shipping included. The total construction of a new operational windmill is approximately $34,730 including contingencies (see Attachment A).

The viability of this option would still need to be examined since the problem arises with the high wind the windmill will be spinning at a higher speed than necessary.

Ken Obrock Windmill Distributors

9435 - 12th Street

North Benton, Ohio 44449

Phone (216) 584-4681

The preceding prices are from:

Overall height 48{Special Char 180 in Font "Kino"} Height of wooden tower 26{Special Char 180 in Font "Kino"}

Diameter of sails/frame 17{Special Char 180 in Font "Kino"}

Gauge of sails 20 gauge

Number of sails 24

Vane length 18{Special Char 180 in Font "Kino"}

Braking system non-functioning

Weight of windmill over 2,000 lbs.

Option Two:

Option Two

• Refurbish the existing windmill. This option will not allow the windmill to turn.

Attachment B describes the total cost of option 2. This cost is approximately $21,390 including contingencies.