MANTEO — The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking event at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, for the $3.6 million project to raise and make repairs to the Double Keepers’ Quarters and other structures at Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Ocracoke Light Station.
The 15-minute event, which caps off the year-long celebration of the Ocracoke Light Station’s 200th anniversary, will occur in front of the Double Keepers’ Quarters.
“Double” refers to the fact that the house is like a duplex, or built for two families.
Hosted by the National Park Service, the special event will include brief remarks followed by the breaking of ground by representatives from the National Park Service, Hyde County, the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office and the contractor, Terra Site Constructors LLC.
Additionally, the Double Keepers’ Quarters will be open for public viewing immediately after the groundbreaking event for one hour and the base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse for will be open from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
During the 12-month project, Terra Site Constructors will perform the following work:
- Raise the Double Keepers’ Quarters more than 4-feet to protect against storm surge.
- Raise the Store House, Carpenter’s Shop, Generator House and Privy by approximately 2-feet on concrete masonry piers with concrete footers.
- Repair interior and exterior storm damage and repaint all structures.
- Remediate all structures for mold, lead based paint and asbestos containing material.
- Install a pathway from the existing boardwalk to a custom lift to the Double Keepers’ Quarters. The pathway and custom lift will meet Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) accessibility standards.
Groundbreaking event attendees are encouraged to park at the nearby Ocracoke Township Tourism Development Authority or the Lifesaving Church’s parking lots due to limited parking at the Ocracoke Light Station.