News : IBSSS roof project to recreate appearance from early 20th Century

Scaffolding surrounds the bell/clock tower of IBSSS; the roof replacement project has begun.

The IBSSS roof project will re-create the appearance of the building from the early 1900s.

After the copper roof was destroyed in the July 11, 2011 storm, state officials decided to replace the roof of the main building on the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School (IBSSS) campus with the slate-style that appears in the photos from the early 1900s.

The repair/renovation project has been ongoing for several months, and soon passers-by will observe work taking place on the roof and bell/clock tower.

"So far all of the protective perimeter fencing and covered entrances have been built and all the scaffold and exterior accesses are in place," says Kevin Kacena, the IBSSS Supervisor of Plant Services. "Nearly all of the remaining old roof has been removed and a temporary flat roof system has been installed to protect the interior during construction. The bell tower and cupola will remain and the new structure will be installed to incorporate the existing bell tower. The steel support structure is in production and the first of the steel should be installed within the next few weeks. The repairs to the third floor interior are a little over half complete."

The new roof system will be constructed of primarily steel with a simulated slate shingle exterior that will closely match the roof as it was in the early 1900’s.

The project is estimated to cost $2.8 million and be completed in early August, although officials believe it's possible that both the completion date and cost may vary from the estimates.