Old Buildings, New Attitudes

Archive for June, 2008

Last Thursday (6/19) I was able to attend two seminars in Liberty, MO.  The seminars were sponsored by Missouri Main Street Connection and held in the Pryor Leadership Center on the William Jewell campus.  Representatives from communities all over the state were there, including Warrensburg, Liberty, Chillicothe, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau and more.  Also attending from Lee’s Summit were Jeanine, Stacy, and Ron Cox with the City of LS.  As always it was great to catch up with all of our revitalization friends.  We were also able to spend some time at the Liberty Square – thanks to Rich Groves from Historic Downtown Liberty for his lunch recommendation!

The first seminar focused on economic restructuring, one component of the Main Street Four-Point Approach.  Linda Sorden from the National Trust Loan Fund came all the way from Washington, DC, to talk with us about financing historic rehabilitation projects.  Briefly, she discussed the National Trust Loan Fund and the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a for profit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The National Trust Loan Fund is a Certified Community Development Financial Institute (CDFI) and “provides financial and technical assistance to underserved communities for commercial and residential redevelopment.” For more information about CDFIs and what they do check out www.cdfifund.gov or www.cdfi.org.  Also check www.preservationnation.org, the National Trust’s website.  They are updating their website, but will have plenty of information about their loan fund soon.  

There are some great examples of major rehab projects on the National Trust’s website.  These projects used combinations of loans, tax credits, donations, and private funding.  One example is the MacGillivray Building in Baltimore, MD.  The building was threatened and was going to be torn down for additional parking.  A group of concerned residents worked with a local Community Development Corporation (CDC) to raise enough funds.  It received a National Trust loan and an HGTV Restore Amercia grant.  For more detailed information about this building check here or here.  

The second seminar of the day was given by Ann Perry of the Missouri Department of Economic Develpment.  She informed us about the various tax credits available for redevelopment projects and who to contact for more information.  Missouri offers many, many tax credits and more and more people are taking advantage of them.  For a full listing of these programs, visit the DED’s Business and Community Services Program menu here.

Here at Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street we try our best to stay informed about financing and tax credits.  Historic tax credits (federal and state) especially help property owners and/or developers make their projects work financially while maintaining the integrity of our historic building stock.  Ron Cox, City of Lee’s Summit Director of Redevelopment, stays current on these important tools.  The Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission is a great local resource.  Our office also offers tax credit seminars (last one was in November of 2007).  If you have any questions about tax credits and financing, we have resources and contact information for the professionals that can help you make your projects work. 

Hi Everyone~

Last evening was our Annual Dinner & Awards Recognition meeting at Arnold Hall.  Thanks to everyone who came out – it was a great evening!  We heard it might be the last special event held in Arnold Hall before the move to the Gamber Center – how bittersweet.  Special thanks to Gene Gamber for all his help setting up.  We look forward to a future meeting in the Gamber Center – I hear it is beautiful!

First I want to thank a few more people who helped make last night such a great evening – Dan & Lynn from Ciao Bella for the wonderful catering, Diane Forte from Dean’s Trophies for the speedy turn around on the beautiful plaques, board member JR Buckner for presenting the awards, and board President Steve Tominia for running the show.  Stacy, our intern, helped with set up and collecting money.  Jeanine did a great job with the Year in Review, and Gina as always did a great job with her ‘fun’ awards to the Downtown Days committee!  And Steve Arbo and Ron Cox with the City helped us clean up afterwards – they are both so great and we appreciate their support.  There were so many others that helped – thank you for the support!

Here is a list of the award winners:

• Special Recognition – Kathy Hofmann, Outgoing Board Member and City Council Liaison 
• Volunteer of the Year – John Kelly of Jerry’s Bait Shop
• Downtown Champion – Dave Eames
• Business of the Year – Cameron’s Home Furnishings
• New Member Dynamo – Gabriel Garner of Pophearts
• Dale Hartley Service Award – Amy Robertson of Cameron’s
• President’s Award – Downtown Days Committee

Congratulations to all the winners!  There were so many amazing dedicated volunteers this past year, and we thank you and recognize all the hard work you do.  We are truly appreciative.

Please join Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street for its Annual Awards Recognition and Dinner. 

When: Tuesday, June 24th 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Where: Arnold Hall, 123 SE Third Street (please note change in location!)

Cost: $15 per person for dinner by Ciao! Bella (please pay in advance)

RSVP: By Tuesday, June 17th

We have several items on the agenda, including installation of new board members, voting on the annual budget, and the ‘year in review’ and the ‘year ahead.’  We will also have award presentations to several hard-working volunteers and businesses. 

Hope to see you there!

Please join Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Merchants and the City of Lee’s Summit for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the re-opening of Fourth Street in Downtown Lee’s Summit.  The construction is now completely over and it’s a new era for Downtown Lee’s Summit!  Light refreshments will be served.

When:  Tuesday, June 17th at 9:00 am

Where: Corner of 4th and Douglas (by the Filling Station)

Hope to see you there!