===== PDF PAGE 19 ===== CITY OF WEST CHICAGO HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: Exterior Masonry Restoration 151 W Washington Street (Joel Wiant House) Wiant House Properties C.O.A. # 26-15 AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 5.E COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: July 28, 2026 STAFF REVIEW: John Sterrett, Director of Community Development SIGNATURE _______________________ ITEM SUMMARY: Matthew Myers, representing Wiant House Properties, owner of the Joel Wiant House at 151 West Washington Street in the Turner Junction Historic District, is requesting approval of a Certificate of Ap- propriateness for comprehensive exterior masonry restoration. The project is to address masonry de- terioration on all four elevations of the building, including failed mortar joints, cracked and displaced brick, and eroded stone that could threaten the building envelope. The proposed scope of work in- cludes: • Tuckpointing deteriorated and missing mortar joints across the brick and stone elevations to match the existing historic profile and color. • Removing and replacing cracked, spalled, and displaced brick and stone, including the stone sill beneath the entry door, with salvaged or matching units. • Patching cracked concrete lintels and replacing failed sealant joints around the building perime- ter, windows, and doors. • Installing new flashing and drip edge at the porch and tower areas to redirect water away from the masonry. All replacement brick, stone, and mortar will match the existing historic materials, color, and profile. The Joel Wiant House is West Chicago’s only example of Second Empire style constructed in 1868 by merchant Joel Wiant next to his general store, considered to be a contributing structure. ACTION PROPOSED: Consideration of exterior masonry restoration at 151 W Washington Street. ===== PDF PAGE 20 ===== Detailed Description of the Proposed Scope of Work The project is a comprehensive exterior masonry restoration of the historic Joel Wiant House, addressing deterioration documented on all four elevations of the building. Decades of weathering have produced failed and missing mortar joints, cracked and displaced brick, and eroded stone, that now threaten the building envelope. The proposed scope of work includes: • Grinding out and tuckpointing deteriorated, cracked, and missing mortar joints across the brick and stone elevations, with joints cut to proper depth, cleaned, and repointed using a Type N (or equivalent) mortar struck to match the existing historic profile and color. • Removing and replacing cracked, spalled, and displaced brick — including displaced brick at the upper (third-floor) corner — with salvage or matching replacement units. • Repointing the stone foundation joints and removing and replacing the deteriorated stone sill beneath the entry door. • Patching and repairing cracked concrete window/door lintels. • Removing and replacing failed sealant (caulk) joints around the building perimeter, windows, and doors. • Installing new flashing and drip edge at the porch and tower areas to redirect water away from the masonry and prevent recurring saturation. • Cleaning the restored masonry, protecting adjacent landscaping and walks during the work, and removing all debris upon completion. Dust-controlled (HEPA) grinding methods consistent with current OSHA silica regulations will be used. The competitive estimates in Section H reflect this scope; individual contractor proposals vary in emphasis (for example, square footage of tuckpointing, brick counts, flashing, and stone work), but all address the same underlying masonry restoration need. The proposed work is masonry restoration that matches the building’s existing historic materials and appearance — replacement brick and stone will match the existing units, and tuckpointing mortar will be struck to match the color and profile of the existing joints. The Joel Wiant House anchors the Turner-Junction Historic District as the last surviving Second Empire building of its era in West Chicago. Restoring it preserves an irreplaceable piece of the downtown's historic character and prevents the drift toward vacancy or demolition that leaves gaps in the streetscape. As a privately funded restoration of a prominent, at-risk landmark, the project also reinforces the momentum of the City's downtown reinvestment and signals to other property owners that continued investment in the district is worthwhile. ===== PDF PAGE 21 ===== The restoration will engage a masonry crew and local material suppliers over roughly one to two months of construction. While the work itself does not generate sales tax, it keeps the building's ground-floor commercial space sound and leasable — protecting existing tenancy and improving the property's ability to attract sales-tax-generating retail or restaurant use, while sustaining the office and residential occupancy that supports downtown foot traffic. Most visibly, repointing, brick and stone replacement, new sealant and flashing will markedly improve the building's street presence, eliminate signs of decay, and extend its useful life by preventing further water damage. The Project is expected to be completed in less than twelve (12) months. Detailed milestone scheduling is therefore not required; the work will be performed as a single, continuous project and reimbursement will be requested upon completion rather than on a partial basis. Based on the contractors’ proposals, the masonry restoration is anticipated to take on the order of one to two months from start to substantial completion, weather permitting, with the entire Project completed well within the twelve-month window. The approximate sequence is as follows: • Grant approval, contractor selection, and execution of contract. • Permitting (a masonry permit may be required by the City) and project scheduling. • Mobilization — staging, scaffolding/man-lift set-up, and protection of landscaping and walkways. • Masonry restoration — grinding and tuckpointing, brick and stone replacement, lintel and stone sill repair, sealant joints, and flashing/drip-edge installation. • Cleaning, final inspection, debris removal, and substantial completion. • Submission of final invoice and reimbursement request. Should the City require firm calendar dates, a start date will be confirmed with the selected contractor upon grant approval. ===== PDF PAGE 22 ===== D. Photos of the Subject Property to Be Improved The following photographs document the present condition of the Joel Wiant House and the masonry deterioration that the proposed project will address. Images were taken during a May 2026 site inspection of the building. Front (street-facing) elevation of the Joel Wiant House, 151 W. Washington Street. Deteriorated masonry and open joints above the arched upper- floor windows. Open void / missing mortar in a brick joint. ===== PDF PAGE 23 ===== Cracked brick and failing mortar at a stone sill/foundation transition. Vertical crack through brick and stone, indicating joint failure. Eroded mortar joints and weathered brick face. Section of deteriorated masonry with washed-out joints. ===== PDF PAGE 24 ===== Deteriorated brick and mortar at the base of the wall above the stone foundation.