Aptos Village Project Off to a Good Start

Historic Hihn Apple Barn Being Prepped For Move to Central Location

Recent dry, warm weather has helped Barry Swenson Builder (BSB) crews clean up the Aptos Village Project site faster than anticipated, and they hope to make headway on additional tasks before rains return later in the month.

Crews from Randazzo Enterprises, a Castroville demolition and recycling company, removed a dilapidated metal shed once used as a masonry business earlier this week.

That work clears the way to sub-excavate and re-compact the new foundation for the soon-to-be relocated historic Hihn Apple Barn. BSB crews are working in conjunction with a soil engineer, an archeological consultant and the County on this process.

Next steps include removing non-historic elements from inside the Apple Barn, in preparation for the upcoming move of the barn to a different location on the property. This will include removal of temporary, plywood walls, carpet, lattice and a plastic drop ceiling.

BSB has retained a HABS II qualified preservation architecture firm, Marvin Bamburg Architects (MBA), to photograph, direct and later document work pertaining to the historic structure. MBA will identify all existing historic elements and character-defining features critical to the barn’s history.

After careful site examination and photo documentation, historical elements will be evaluated to determine if they need to be repaired or replaced. Elements to be replaced may become part of the historic display on site or a curated exhibit. John Hibble, curator of the Aptos History Museum, also will document the Apple Barn’s move to create a future display for the Museum.

BSB Construction Manager Keith Henderson anticipates the Apple Barn will be moved to its new location in early spring. Visit the Aptos Village Project website for updates: www.theaptosvillage.com.

The Aptos Village Project was approved in 2012 after a decade of planning and community input. Located at the entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, this re-establishes Aptos Village as the civic heart of Aptos. The project is registered and in process for LEED ND certification, a distinction provided by the U.S. Green Building Council to projects that “successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life in our communities.”