Define plan for restoration of property

 

Organizations that defend the historical heritage have been demanding the restoration of the Wilcox House, in Colón. This property dates back to 1913 and was declared a National Historical Monument by Law No. 47 of 2002, however, last year it suffered a fire and presents an advanced deterioration. The Ministry of Housing and Land Management reported yesterday that next week starts work on shoring the building.

 

Recovery of old Wilcox House is a pending task with the patrimony

 

The rehabilitation works of the historic Casa Wilcox, in the province of Colon, were divided into three stages, and the authorities are scheduled to start next week after almost a year of waiting.

As will be remembered, the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela , promised on November 5, 2017, the anniversary date of the city of Colón, that this historic monument would be restored. But the project had expanded.

 

This motivated organizations such as the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA), as well as the Council of Sites and Monuments, Panama Chapter (Icomos, for its acronym in English) to ask Varela to comply with his word due to the poor state that presents the property.

 

In this regard, Martin Sucre , Minister of Housing and Land Management, reported yesterday that the work was divided into three stages.

 

The first, which starts the other week, consists of security fencing and shoring of the building’s structures, while the second phase has to do with the structural recovery of the external facade, restoration of the exterior balconies and ornaments.

 

On the third stage, Sucre clarified that it is an issue that is yet to be defined because the building could function as a public office or museum.

 The Wilcox house was built in 1913 and declared a Historical Monument by Law 47 of 2002. LP / Alexander Arosemena.

During this stage the improvement of the interior foundations, construction of the infrastructure systems (plumbing, electricity and others), the replacement of roofs, treatment of external facades and ornaments would be made.

 

“By the middle of next year they must have finished the work of the first two phases,” he added.

 

The value of the first two phases is $ 5.5 million and the works would be in charge of the New Colón Consortium, as part of the Urban Renovation works.

The architect restorer and defender of the historical heritage of Columbus, Joel Ceras , described as “late” and “surprising” this announcement, if the conditions of the structure are taken into account. However, he said he “celebrates” the intervention.

Katti Osorio, from Icomos Panama chapter, hopes that the beginning of the works will be true and that the authorities will offer more details about the intervention.

The SPIA began this week in social networks a campaign that seeks to draw attention to restoration.

The Wilcox house was built in 1913 and was declared a Historic Monument of the Nation with Law 47 of 2002.

Source LaPrensa