The future of the Saylor Cement Kilns, Coplay, remains uncertain.

The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners at its May 28 meeting discussed the current condition of the kilns and how the county might proceed in the future.

Restoring the nine kilns would cost more than $4 million, county Director of General Services Rick Molchany said.

Rebuilding two kilns and demolishing the other seven would cost about $2 million, while rebuilding two kilns, demolishing two and fencing off the other five would cost $1.2 million, Molchany noted.

The cost to restore just one kiln would cost between $350,000 and $500,000, Molchany said. He also said knocking down one kiln and removing any hazardous waste will cost about $200,000.

According to Molchany, the kilns are in need of serious repair.

Molchany did not provide the board with any definitive plans.

"There is no easy solution on how we are going to proceed," he said.

Commissioner Percy Dougherty spoke in favor of restoring all nine kilns.

"Complete renovation is very expensive, but it's our history," he said.

The county, Molchany said, is in receipt of a $200,000 grant. Also, $30,000 was previously donated to the county and more than $86,000 has been set aside in the past for the kilns.

The county has retained Spillman Farmer Architects, Bethlehem, to evaluate the condition of the kilns.

Molchany also said Frank Matero, University of Pennsylvania professor of architecture, will be looking at the kilns in more detail.