The Tillamook Air Museum says there is still some hope the airship hangar damaged in a December storm can be repaired despite a decision by the local port authority to deny funds for the complex project. According to a post by the museum on Saturday, while the port authority won’t borrow money for the $3.5-6.5 million in repairs, it is trying to get funding elsewhere to make the massive structure safe again. “Port Board President Jack Mulder emphasized that the Port has NOT walked away from Hangar B or its future,” the museum board said in social media post. “While the Board previously voted not to commit additional Port funds toward the Hangar B repair project, discussions with potential partners continues actively behind the scenes.” The storm tore a 200×30-foot hole in the roof that left a section of roof hanging, creating a safety hazard. No one was hurt and none of the collection was damaged. There has been talk of getting a FEMA grant but that only covers 75% of the bill and the rest must be raised locally. The presence of asbestos in the damaged building materials is also complicating the project.
Although it appears certain the dangling section of roof will be removed to address the immediate hazard, patching the hole is another matter but it might be the cheapest alternative. Leaving the gaping hole in the roof will inevitably weaken the structure as a whole, but the cost of demolishing the hangar, built to house patrol blimps looking for Japanese submarines in the Second World War, is estimated at $45 million. At the other extreme, a full restoration of the massive structure is estimated at $300 million and would take seven years to complete. Meanwhile, the museum, which was housed in the hangar, remains closed, but its board of directors continues to lobby to save it.
They should make a run at a DOD (DOW) grant. It is possible the history of the structure might make it eligible or deemed worthy of saving.
I hope they’re successful. It’s the only aviation museum I’ve been to where the building is the key exhibit.
Where’s tillinmuck?
How little can you do
Well, I can spell Tillamook but you are correct. I should have specified that it’s on the Oregon Coast about 75 miles west of Portland.
Go for the Extra Sharp Cheddar–it’s top shelf.
A very unfortunate disaster for the building. It was quite the spectacle when I went to this museum years ago. Is there any information on what is happening with the planes? are they still showing the exhibits outside? In storage and non operational?
So the building was not insured?