The City Council of Webster City approved grants for five local projects at its meeting Tuesday, the total grant amount being $136,098.21.
“The Hotel/Motel Tax Fund has sufficient dollars to make this award,” Hotel/Motel Tax Board Chairman Andy Sowle said in announcing the awards that needed council approval.
LIFT WC requested $75,000, and was awarded $60,000. The organization has undertaken a top-to-bottom restoration of the historic Elks Club Building in downtown Webster City.
LIFT WC President Darcy Swon said, “The grant will assist in covering the cost of wall and floor coverings, including tile and wallpaper. The main stairway will be carpeted. Most of the floors will be laid with new hardwood flooring.”
Swon stressed that LIFT uses local firms for the work.
“We’ve been mindful that a local project should benefit local businesses.”
Arts R Alive in Webster City asked for $4,676; the board recommended allowing the entire amount.
Janet Adams, Arts R Alive president, said the money “will be used as matching funds for the three downtown businesses who’ve agreed to host sculptures, including First State Bank, Avalia Bank, and Osweiller’s Women’s Fashions. We’ll also spend a small amount on marketing, working through the Chamber of Commerce.”
Placement of sculptures downtown is the latest initiative of Arts R Alive, which is now in its 14th year. According to Adams, “Some cities swear public art has rescued their downtowns, including Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Mankato, Minnesota.”
Mankato hosts a popular annual sculpture walk each spring. In May 2024, 32 sculptures were featured, drawing thousands of participants. Eau Claire is said to have the second highest number of public artworks in the country — more than either Los Angeles or New York City. The Wisconsin city of 75,000 claims public art has played a key role in the rejuvenation of its downtown as a vibrant music, food and shopping destination.
HERO, officially Help Entertain and Restore Organization, owns and operates the Webster Theater. Before a late 2023 fire seriously damaged the theater’s auditorium and roof, it claimed to have the largest screen in north central Iowa. The organization asked for, and was granted, $25,000.
Jeff Pingel, a member of the HERO board, said the funds will be used “100% to repair the brick wall” facing Second Street on the theater’s main floor. The wall was discovered to be 6 inches out of plumb, and is leaning. A possible cause is that the building housing the theater, built in 1906, may not be able to support the 1939 marquee.
Pingel noted, “We’re finishing the roof repairs this week. Inside the auditorium, we’ve replaced the floor underlayment, and the frame for the screen is up.”
Saying there are “lots of moving parts” to the remaining work, including the ordering of specialty, made-to-order equipment, HERO hopes for a reopening during the annual “Christmas-in-the-City” promotion.
Chairman Sowle said of the HERO grant: “We’re pleased to support this. It’s something absent from our community and something the community misses.”
Another project, DUB Sports Park, requested $15,000 and received the full amount.
According to its website, the organization “is dedicated to the unity and betterment of youth sports and community wellness.” It plans an extensive indoor facility, including two basketball courts, multi-purpose courts, a commons with concessions, an exercise room, party room, walking track, and large parking lot. The facility will be built with a combination of private donations and local and state grants, and operate on a nonprofit basis.
Meredith Bargfrede, vice president and secretary for DUB, said the grant would go toward marketing materials to raise funds for the facility.
The downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) was awarded $31,422 to purchase and install the first phase of a sound system in the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of downtown Webster City. It had sought $46,861.55.
Hotel/Motel Tax Board member John Marvel explained: “This is just a start. We plan to expand the system in the future. This funding will cover purchase of a control panel to be set up in and controlled from the Chamber of Commerce Building, and five speakers throughout downtown.”
The Hotel/Motel Tax Board is an advisory commission of the City of Webster City. Its members review applications each year in May. Applications for funding can be made by public or private organizations or individuals “with a demonstrated ability to complete projects.” The fund comes from taxes on motel room stays in Webster City.
The board has been in operation for 15 years and has supported many projects in and near Webster City.
This year the Hotel/Motel Tax Board reviewed eight proposals.
View this article as it originally appeared in the Daily Freeman-Journal.
Last modified: September 4, 2024