JOHN DAY The Grant County Fairgrounds is seeking proposals from contractors for emergency repairs to fix the tractor barn before a windstorm takes it down.

The Grant County Court on Wednesday afternoon gave fair manager Mary Weaver the go-ahead to seek proposals by 8 a.m. next Monday, March 19. She set a deadline of March 25 for getting the work done, so the equipment can be moved back into the structure as soon as possible.

Weaver said shell contact the County Court Monday morning, after all the proposals are in, for approval to go ahead with the work. The selected contractor will be notified that morning.

The biggest problem is a support beam that is warped and no longer connected to the structure. Weaver said that weakness makes it vulnerable to a strong gust of wind, putting stored materials and equipment at risk.

The work to be done includes replacing the 6×6 post and footing, and installing steel brackets on all posts, new 2x10s under the sill plates to strengthen the structure, hurricane clips on each truss and, if required, additional bracing for wind resistance.

Weaver said contractors with valid CCB number, license and bonding can call the fairgrounds at 541-575-1900 to view the building and learn more about the project.