September 2008

Completion of museum first floor to be celebrated during 1st Annual Bing House Art Festival.

The Friends of the Bing House and volunteers with the Improvement League of Plant City are making plans to host a Art Festival featuring various vendors in the field of Fine Arts at Sam Cooper Park on MLK Blvd, Plant City. Target date set Saturday Novemember 8, 2008 from 10am to 6pm.

League proceeds with restoration despite bidders overpricing restoration.

The Improvement League advertised for bids to restore the interior of the Bing House in May 2008 and again in June 2008. Both advertisements resulted in bids being rejected due to costs estimates submitted by bidders. Initial restoration estimates by the League, City of Plant City and State of Florida in Summer 2007 indicated costs not to exceed $100,000. Bids submitted in May and July 2008 ranged from $150,000 to $300,000 for interior restoration.

The current economic climate should have resulted in lower bids and more competition however this was not the case with the Bing House. Some speculate that due to deadlines to use grants awarded by the State, bidders had hoped the desire to complete the project would force the League to commit to the high bids. Cost for construction materials was not a factor due to the materials needed to restore the interior being available from local vendors (84 Lumber, Steppin Stone A/C, etc.). This would negate costs for fuel and transport of materials. Costs for construction materials typically play a factor in road construction (aggregate, asphalt, etc.).

Board members were prepared for this scenario and preparations are being made to subcontract and proceed with restoration.

The League is proceeding with restoration by directly working with contractors in the areas of electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Look for work to begin July 2008.

April 2007

Bing House Interior Renovation goes up for bid

Plans to restore the interior of the Bing House Museum are moving along despite the turbulent housing and construction market. Despite escalating costs for construction materials and sharp drop in the demand for construction work the restoration will proceed but consist of two phases.

Phase I (Museum)- Restore main two rooms of first floor, and entire second floor. Install HVAC (airconditioning/heating), plumbing, restrooms for entire house including rear residential area. Install electrical wiring and alarm system. Complete by August 2008.

Phase II (Residential)- Restore residential dwelling in the rear of the house (former restaurant). Integrate electrial systems and smoke detectors for occupancy. Projected to be completed by Summer 2009.

October 24, 2007

The Bing Rooming House Restoration Project received a contribution from a a descendant of the Bing Family this week.

We honor and recognize Mr. Kevin Lofton and Mrs. Maude Lofton, MD for their $5,000.00 contribution in support of the Bing Rooming House interior restoration. Mr. & Mrs. Lofton currently reside in Littleton, Colorado.

September 2007

State grant expected to clear state budget-

The Bing Rooming House is among the top five historical projects in the State of Florida awarded to get grant funding for restoration. The grant amount for the Bing House is approximately $40,000.00 which will require a match from the Improvement League.

July 2007

Bing House exterior restoration is complete. Plans are currently underway to restore the interior in preparation for the museum's opening.

The Bing Rooming House was deeded over to the non-profit organization Improvement League of Plant City ten years ago by James Washington, a grandchild of the Bing Family. The house was originally passed on to several family members of Janie L. Bing (Wayne, Janell, and James Washington) and later deeded solely to Mr. Washington.

The house was deeded to the Improvement League as a Life Estate by James Washington. A Life Estate simply means that Mr. Washington will be allowed to stay in a portion of the house during his life. The Bing Rooming House is owned by the Improvement League and all restoration actions fall solely under the non-profit's jurisdiction.

Improvement League seeks elderly citizens to interview for historical accounts in the black communities of Plant City.

Elderly citizens (regardless of racial background) are being sought to interview and record via camcorder as he or she recollects memories of friends, family, and loved ones that resided in the black communities of Lincoln and Madison Park. Please call (813) 757-6760 so that a representative can schedule to meet with you.

Fundraising-

August 2007: The Bing House is in need of drywall, electrical wiring, office furniture, air conditioning unit (two 1 ton units), duct work, and equipment for a sound room (styrofoam, microphones, chairs, and lightning).