Impact
WARD: 3
COMMITTEE: Public Works and Keep Smyrna Beautiful
$ IMPACT: $18,100
Title
Approval of the contract with Ashley Shares to conduct preservation work at the Smyrna Memorial Cemetery in the amount of $18,100 to begin by June 2, 2018, and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute any associated documents.
Body
ISSUE:
The City agrees to contract with Ashley Shares to conduct preservation work at the Smyrna Memorial Cemetery for the cleaning and preservation of historic grave site markers and monuments on the property owned by the City of Smyrna.
The work includes repair and preservation work to be carried out on markers for 60 grave sites within the cemetery. The total cost of all critical project work is $18,100.
BACKGROUND:
The Smyrna Memorial Cemetery is located in downtown Smyrna adjacent to the Smyrna Market Village. It was established in the 1840s and contains nearly 640 grave sites. The earliest marked grave is from 1848.
At the request of Mayor and Council, the Smyrna Memorial Cemetery was assessed by a professional preservationist who works with the Oakland Cemetery Foundation. The site was deemed to be in need of preservation efforts to minimize any further degradation to the monuments, grave site markers, and other historic elements. These efforts include the resetting of markers in their original position, the stabilizing of monuments, preventative repairs where possible, and the careful cleaning of many markers. The process will last several months and eventually engage the assistance of volunteers. Prior to the initiation of this work, arborist work will also be conducted at the site.
The preservationist also visited the historic site of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery and a proper assessment could not be conducted at this time due to the high level of vegetative debris. It is the intention of the City of Smyrna to take measures to ensure the preservation of this historic site once p...
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