PRATT MUSEUM

Pratt Museum Roof System Replacement Project

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THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY

Since 1967, when the Homer community chose to construct a museum as a centennial project celebrating the hundred-year anniversary of Alaska’s purchase, the Pratt Museum has been a source of pride for the community. At the Museum, art, science and culture come together in the exploration of a wide range of topics and stories from traditional cultures to environmental concerns.
In addition to being a place of preservation, conservation, and education, Pratt
Museum serves as a gathering place, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds. It has contributed tangibly to local quality of life, helping make Homer a place where people want to live, work, and play.
Homer is the economic, education, health care, and cultural hub in the area, and it is one of the most important maritime harbors in the state. With a diverse economy of commercial fishing, tourism, and government sectors being the most prominent, Homer is home to a robust creative community, whereby Pratt Museum is a conduit to preserve and share the human story of the region.

THE NEED

While recent renovations focused on other critical upgrades including facility ADA compliance and collection stewardship, the replacement of the roof system, once again, was not addressed. To sustain the Museum’s commitment to the community, the roof system replacement project can no longer be kicked down the road.
Each gallery contains multiple water-collection buckets and at times water drips and splashes on the exhibits and display cases. Leaks also occur over the new elevator and in office spaces equipped with computers and electronics. The routine maintenance of the roof during the winter is a health and safety issue given that the roof needs to be hand-shoveled every time it snows.
With cracked beams, leaks throughout, and hazardous work conditions for staff, the Pratt Museum roof must be replaced.

THE SOLUTION

After carefully examining the roof and site, Roof Construction Services, Inc. and Schneider Structural Engineers determined a full roof replacement is necessary.
Pratt Museum roof replacement project consists of approximately 9,143 +/- square feet of roof removal and replacement with new insulation and new modified membrane roofing systems with all related flashing and sheet metal work. This project consists of the complete removal of the granular surfaced modified built-up roof system, all insulations and underlying plywood, flashings, and trim metals, and the installation of a new 3-ply modified membrane roof system including new base sheet installed over a new 3/8-inch plywood substrate installed over the original Tongue & Groove wood roof deck, new high thermal insulation, new perimeter edge metal detailing, new gutters and downspouts and all associated accessories.
A strategic plan for financing the roof replacement has been drafted. Each level of the plan leverages support with the next solicitation. In other words, the initial support from the City of Homer is the key to securing additional funds.
The following is a brief overview of the funding needed to be successful:
  1. Capital Improvement Project Nomination with City of Homer for $350,000
  2. CAPSIS Request to the State of Alaska Legislature supported by Senator Gary Stevens for $250,000
  3. Congressionally Directed Spending Request supported by Senator Lisa Murkowski for $250,000
  4. Tier 2 Rasmuson Foundation grant for $350,000
  5. Cash on hand – $162,481

Roof System Replacement Project

CONTRIBUTE to Roof Replacement Fund

A Letter to the Community of Homer

Check out this letter from The Homer Society of Natural History, Inc. Board of Directors thanking you for your commitment to sustaining the Museum and urging the Homer City Council to show support for our Roof System Replacement Project by making it a legislative and financial priority.

Read the letter, HERE.