Begin by asking your architects and planners to give you an alternate first phase of the project with a lower cost that is more realistic in case you don't happen to raise $1.5m. Also, I hope your architects are including a pro-active maintenance program to keep the building in good condition in future years. (It would be a shame to upgrade conditions and then just let the buildings deteriorate again.) If not I refer you to the Practical Restoration Report, Managing Maintenance for Historic Buildings. John Leeke, Preservation Consultant 26 Higgins St., Portland, ME 04103, USA 207 773-2306 Old-House Journal, Contributing Editor AOL, HouseNet, Historic HomeWorks, Pundit, [log in to unmask] CompuServe, Handyman, Old Houses, SYSOP, [log in to unmask] http://members.aol.com/johnleeke/private/pages/hhw-home.htm John Leeke, Preservation Consultant 26 Higgins St., Portland, ME 04103, USA 207 773-2306 Old-House Journal, Contributing Editor AOL, HouseNet, Historic HomeWorks, Pundit, [log in to unmask] CompuServe, Handyman, Old Houses, SYSOP, [log in to unmask]