06.23.08
Community Cultural Center Construction Update
By Peggy Schlichter
Mr. Tom Smull from Restore All Saints has released an update on the construction progress.
Stuart, Iowa. Our Town, State, World, & Humor.
By Peggy Schlichter
Mr. Tom Smull from Restore All Saints has released an update on the construction progress.
anony said,
June 24, 2008 at 2:23 pm
i am sorry but this is NOT supposed to be restoration of Historic All Saints. It is supposed to be reconstructing burned out building to be The Community Cultural Center. I would prefer they quit calling it All Saints. It is no longer a restoration!!! But of course, we only “gave” them the money!!
Anonymous said,
June 24, 2008 at 6:25 pm
It is a restoration and the name is Historic All Saints Cultural Center. I saw a lot of people up there today working, this is exciting to see progress being made.
Anonymous said,
June 24, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Chill out 2:23 pm restoration/reconstruction means same thing. I like the name Historic All Saints.
anony said,
June 25, 2008 at 11:35 am
I don’t 8:07, especially when I am helping pay for it.
anony said,
June 25, 2008 at 11:47 am
Perhaps I should have used the word, remodel, which does not restore to as it was, but adds or takes away orginal designs and upgrades.. If you look at the website, it is referred to as “The Community Cultural Center”.
anonymous said,
June 25, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I think that it is wonderful to get the building redone, but I do resent paying for it with tax dollars. The city council and project restore surely have put one over on ALL of us. They knew that this is an emotional issue and they milked it for all that it was worth. I feel that this restoration project should be done through grants and private donations. There are too many unanswered questions about how the building will be used, who pays the insurance and upkeep, staffing, costs of utilities, where does or should I say to whom does the rental fees go? and the list of questions go on and on. Nothing has, to my knowledge, ever been put in writing or information been presented to the public. We all just want to see the ruins either restored or removed. It’s just a daily reminder of the “EVIL” that was committed against our community. And now Charles Willard is free to walk the streets of our community. He most likely has come to Stuart to admire his “EVIL”. Just think of how lucky we were that devastating day, that there was no loss of life. I still believe that tax dollars should not be involve in paying for the cultural center.
thevoicesofstuart said,
June 25, 2008 at 6:02 pm
3:03 pm – just to put your mind to ease on some of the points you have raised i will try to provide you with some answers.
the reason it is being paid with by tax dollars is that the voters in stuart said it was what they wanted. as a result of the vote the council decided to use 50% tif at no cost to the voters and 50% taxpayer money.
there is a $500k vision iowa grant being used for part of the work.
all of the costs for insurance, staff, utilities, rental income is handled by the board of directors for the community cultural center. it is a not for profit organization.
here is the site for their business plan if you wish to read it.
http://www.restoreallsaints.org/CommunityCulturalCenterBusinessPlanOct2007-LIZ.pdf
yes it was a terrible thing to have happened to a beautiful church but none of us has the ability to turn back time and change what happened. at least there is some good coming out of this change. i realize that it was an emotional thing for many people but i do think that there are some real possibilities for this venture to benefit the town and its citizens.
anony said,
June 26, 2008 at 11:43 am
That is true Peg, Project Restore committee owns the property and taxpayers did vote to “give” them the money. I have talked to several people who after the fact found out that the city did not own the building and felt they were duped into a yes vote. I would strongly advise before voting yes only anything, that the get the true facts and read the wording of the ballot carefully. The wording alone said what was going to be done with the money. A vote to approve would “grant” the money to Project Restore. If that is not understandable ask for a detailed explanation next time. I thought the city was going to make some kind of agreement with them in favor of the taxpayers. All of their reports to council is simply to ease the minds of those who are paying. We have no rights concerning it and the council has no authority over it.
thevoicesofstuart said,
June 26, 2008 at 12:17 pm
anony – all true, however in my mind it comes down to the players and how they represent themselves and what they are trying to do. i have seen no indication from any of the project people that they are doing anything other than what they say they are doing. i have seen no hedging or over exaggeration on their part. in fact what i have seen is the exact opposite. they have been very conservative in their estimates for both costs and expected revenues. they are actively involved in the everyday actions taking place there. they have been forthright about every aspect that was presented. based on that i am glad the city is not involved in the project. while i thought that using a grant for the money was not a wise decision on the council’s part there is no going back. in fact i pretty much think that framing the resolution using a grant was done on purpose to help ensure that it didn’t pass. the reaction of the council after the vote was one of surprise and disbelief. they were caught short and had to scramble to figure out how to fund the grant. with this council it is never about what they say it is always about what they do. of course when i use the word council here it means “where the shoe fits”. i also think that the city will reap far more benefits from the project as long as the council has no authority over it. faith and trust, anony, in my book it all comes down to that.
Anonymous said,
June 27, 2008 at 7:24 pm
hey peg i seen stout out to country kitchen the other night wondered if you had talked to him?
thevoicesofstuart said,
June 27, 2008 at 7:36 pm
7:24 pm – not recently, it has been about a month since i talked to him.
Anonymous said,
June 28, 2008 at 10:52 am
Hey Peg how did your garage sale go? I was going to stop by but there was so many cars there I went on by. Proably missed some good deals. How is your Mom doing?
2008 projects said,
June 28, 2008 at 11:54 am
What projects are planned for 2008-2009?
Walking Trail Phase II?
Streets? Sure hope they select the street out NE of town up to 10th. That gets alot of traffic to the gravesites.
San Sewer Lines? That is the problem with everyone getting water in their basements, if not sewage. With the town growing, you would think they would work on that as well. Unless you have specific insurance to cover sewage or water back up you clean up the mess your self.
I thought barb wire was against code. Walking and riding bike around town the city has some on their own property, example city shed. Like that will keep anybody out when they can hop the gate.
2008 projects said,
June 28, 2008 at 11:55 am
It might help our water problem if the PD were to issue citations everytime they see grass mowed into the street. Each rain fall the drains are sluggish due to all the dead grass on the grates. That is a real issue with Bob, he hates it. Can’t he take pictures and have citations issued?
thevoicesofstuart said,
June 28, 2008 at 7:05 pm
10:52 am – it went well. stayed busy up until about 1 pm. i think i will have another one in a couple of weeks. i still have all of the stuff in the rafters of the garage to sort through and see what is there. i also have boxes stacked in the closet that need going thru. if you go by and see the garage door open stop by and look at what i have. it all has to go.
mom seems to be doing okay now. she had a stress test on friday and should here the results monday. when she got home friday she said she did not understand how they could call it a stress test because they did not even make her go as far or fast as she walks on her treadmill at home. what ever it is it hits suddenly and then disappears within a few hours. she is weak and tired for a day or two then feels like her old self. i just hope they figure out what it is.
Anon said,
July 3, 2008 at 11:52 am
Think outside of the box Stuart residents. When the Cultural Center is completed, functions held there will add tax dollars to the City, which they can continue to waste. In addition, hotel/motel taxes will increase not to mention add jobs to the community.
Some of you people supported $1.7 million dollar swimming pool that will suck money out of the community not added to it. You supported a walking trail that does not bring money to the community and the streets and sewers go unattended. Ask Neil Crawford where the grass goes when his father-in-law mows his lawn. It does down the drain on South Adair. And, of course, every town employee has blinders on driving down South Adair.
Anonymous said,
July 4, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I have checked Crawford’s property and yes the grass is in the street and also covering the gutter drain. It’s the same on the west side of his street where his relation lives. We have a huge amount of rain and water backs up in people’s basement and we wonder why?
Anonymous said,
July 7, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Do you suppose any of the city council members, the city administrator, any city hall employees, or the chief of police know about this grass covering the storm water drains ? Do they check out the “talk” on the blogs ? Many other drains are probably covered too, maybe time to run the street sweeper again ?
Anonymous said,
July 8, 2008 at 9:55 am
Waddell is on the Streets Committee. When was the last time you ever saw him or any other council member checking any streets. The police, city administrator, Henderson & Airhart should be checking the condition of streets and drainage.