The time has come for repairs to the iconic clock tower at the Covington Trailhead.
Work to repair water infiltration and termite damage to the city-owned tower, at 419 N. New Hampshire St., will begin on May 1 under a $57,883 contract with Cox Parker Contractors, LLC. The repair project is expected to be completed within 60 days, Covington officials said.
The clock tower serves as the centerpiece of the trailhead, which resembles an old-fashioned railroad station and includes a bandstand, a sloped, grassy audience area, restrooms, water fountains, a visitor center and exhibit hall. It was built in 2008 and hosts several community events throughout the year.
Erin Bovina, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the damage to the tower was noticed last year. A construction expert was brought in to determine the nature and extent of the damage.
The inspection revealed wood sheathing and framing on the four sides of the upper clock tower have extensive rot due to water intrusion and termites. The damage also affects the stucco on the upper tower’s exterior.
The repair work will involve demolition of the exterior sheathing, framing and sections of stucco near the top of the clock tower. The contractor will remove the clock and speakers and reinstall them once repairs are complete.
New wood-framed walls will be built, and thermal and moisture protection will be installed. A conventional three-coat stucco system will be applied on the exterior and painted to match the original color.
The city decided to hold off on the repair project until after Mardi Gras events and the Thursday night Rockin’ the Rails spring concert series held at the trailhead. The last spring concert of the season will be April 25.
However, the fourth annual Fools Fest scheduled for May 18 at the trailhead will not take place. The Fools of Misrule, a Twelfth Night Marching Club, had announced plans to move the music event to Bogue Falaya Park because of the pending repair project at the trailhead. However the organization ultimately decided to cancel it because of logistical problems associated with the move.
City Council Chair and organization member Mark Verret said members realized they didn’t have enough time to overhaul its festival for the new location.
“Because of the timing, we just couldn’t put together the kind of show people have come to expect from Fools Fest,” Verret said. “We’ll be back next year bigger and better than ever.”