Retirement & The Muster Grounds Rehabilitation

The Town of Abingdon is seeking proposals from qualified, licensed, and bonded contractors to lead the rehabilitation and restoration of the Retirement and the Muster Grounds site, a designated National Register of Historic Places and Department of Historic Resources easement property. The project focuses on restoring the existing vacant building known as "Retirement," with the goal of transforming it into a cultural heritage center and recreational venue that will serve as a hub for cultural activities and community gatherings in Southwest Virginia. The site also functions as a historic interpretive space and trail system, emphasizing its importance as a community asset. Construction plans must include detailed drawings for the building, which must be approved by the Town’s Building Official and Planning Department, with particular attention to integrating the original structure and the non-contributing addition, which contains a kitchen designed to meet commercial catering standards. The project’s scope involves a comprehensive rehabilitation of the site, with a construction budget estimated between $500,000 and $2,000,000. The work will address structural, aesthetic, and functional improvements to ensure the building’s suitability for future use as a cultural and recreational facility. The solicitation, posted on June 18, 2025, with a deadline for responses on June 28, 2025, is open to contractors meeting the necessary licensing and bonding requirements, under the NAICS code 333924. The project aims to enhance the historic site’s accessibility and functionality, ultimately contributing to the cultural and community development of the region.