Letter to the editor:
We the citizens and taxpayers of Kasson do not have to be faced with litigation over the Historic Old Kasson Public School building. All you have to do is call, write, or email your Mayor, City Council, City Administrator and City Planner and tell them you've had enough. No more of your tax money spent on this issue-including demolition costs, no more tax money spent toward any exorbitant library plans, no more tax money spent on ridiculous "storm shelter" structures and tell them to sell the property.
Today we as taxpayers will benefit financially from the sale, we will increase our tax base by thousands of dollars to have an entire city block paying property taxes and once the building is redesigned and is a functioning commercial entity, the neighborhood and community will be asking themselves, "Why was this so difficult?"
Kasson does not need a bigger library. "Story time" for tots, book clubs and free internet access are not where I want my dollars spent. I prefer my money being used to improve our streets & drainage system, used to incentivize new businesses, improvements to fire and police departments... Toddlers, babies and preschoolers are beautiful creatures, but we don't need a new library to accommodate them. As for K-M's teens and tweens, they hardly use their school libraries. If they desire to "hang out" that place better sell burgers and fries or play music.
KARE did not reject all architectural drawings, pians or studies designed to consider reuse of the school. KARE actually helped to fund the studies and agreed with most of the adaptive reuses recommended by the architects and historians involved.
As for using a FEMA grant to construct a library-that almost sounds criminal. And proposing a "domed" structure? ... One that might resemble the Pantheon or Monticello, or to "even suggest that in 2013 you could construct a columnar entry facade" "just like the current building has," well that is ludicrous. And regarding "energy efficiency" in construction, the "greenest" building is the one that's already built. The previous mentioned studies make this point rather clearly.
If the City feels it needs a "storm shelter structure" the city (we the tax payers) owns many other properties, all suitable for such a structure.
KARE did not fail to find a reuse for the school. KARE's recommendations over the years include: putting the library and city offices in the building-the city council disapproved. KARE recommended selling the building for a reasonable price-the city council disapproved. KARE recommended a joint public/private project using a local developer-the city council disapproved. KARE has never offered to buy the school, KARE has no ownership in the building, which leaves the onus on the city.
Time has not caused any significant structural deterioration of the building. The interior damage caused by the copper thieves is unimportant because the majority of the inside of the building will be deconstructed to accommodate a retrofitted project, what makes this building unique in its structural integrity, lay-out design, outstanding craftsmanship overall, with emphasis on the exterior brick work specifically.
The reason to save this building has nothing to do with "emotional attachments." The reasons to reuse this building have yet again been explained.
The best reason to sell the old school to a private developer is that it will contribute a huge amount of commercial property taxes to our country, city & schools.
It the city keeps the property, demolishes the building, builds a new building, hires staff for the new building, heats the new building, and has running water and electricity in the new building - you will pay for all that and more. Do the math....
Former president of KARE &
Commercial taxpayer,
Diane O'Brien Berge
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Mayors Memo May 2013
What a roller coaster ride this spring has been! We go from cleaning up a foot and a half of snow in early May to an almost a 100 degree record breaking day less than two weeks later. Living in Minnesota certainly gives you the chance to see all seasons -- sometimes even in the same month!
As we continue to hope that spring is here to stay and summer is right around the corner, talk turns from weather to construction season! We will be seeing a lot of activity which is going to be good for our community. We will be finishing 16th Street and the Bridge. Work will start on a Park & Ride facility on the south side of Highway 14. We will also be putting down the second lift of blacktop out in the far northwest part of town along with fixing a few stretches of road south of Main Street.
Work is scheduled to begin soon on the site of the old Folkestad’s Garage. Plans are for the building to be gutted, cleaned up and renovated for use as a business incubator. Interest has already been expressed in that building, so getting it cleaned up and re-used will be great for our community and the downtown area.
Have you driven by the pool lately? Obviously, work has continued! With the challenges of a long, wet winter/spring there are some delays with the pool work. Please note that the contractors are doing everything they can to meet the open date. The building is coming along nicely, and we are hoping for a nice stretch of dry weather enabling them to finish the pool and deck work. The opening of the pool will be a great day!
Lastly, come on out for another “Meet the Mayor” meeting at Erdman’s deli from 8AM to 9AM on Saturday, June 1st. I’ll look forward to hearing about what’s on your mind!
In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com
As we continue to hope that spring is here to stay and summer is right around the corner, talk turns from weather to construction season! We will be seeing a lot of activity which is going to be good for our community. We will be finishing 16th Street and the Bridge. Work will start on a Park & Ride facility on the south side of Highway 14. We will also be putting down the second lift of blacktop out in the far northwest part of town along with fixing a few stretches of road south of Main Street.
Work is scheduled to begin soon on the site of the old Folkestad’s Garage. Plans are for the building to be gutted, cleaned up and renovated for use as a business incubator. Interest has already been expressed in that building, so getting it cleaned up and re-used will be great for our community and the downtown area.
Have you driven by the pool lately? Obviously, work has continued! With the challenges of a long, wet winter/spring there are some delays with the pool work. Please note that the contractors are doing everything they can to meet the open date. The building is coming along nicely, and we are hoping for a nice stretch of dry weather enabling them to finish the pool and deck work. The opening of the pool will be a great day!
Lastly, come on out for another “Meet the Mayor” meeting at Erdman’s deli from 8AM to 9AM on Saturday, June 1st. I’ll look forward to hearing about what’s on your mind!
In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Time to Move On
I sure do not want to beat a dead horse, but it's time to move on. I was excited and optimistic when Sherman Associates was pursuing the possibility of purchasing the former Kasson school and turning the building into senior housing units. They have the expertise for this and have done projects for millions more than what would have been spent here. Renovation is also one of their specialties.
In order for the project to work financially they were counting on Section 42 housing credits to help fund the project. They requested $396,740 per year for 10 years for the Minnesota Housing tax Credit. They were not awarded the tax credits so the deal was canceled and the purchase agreement terminated.
To me, if a company as reputable as Sherman Associates is unable to make a project profitable without financial backing, I doubt there is another business/individual out there who can. It's time to move on.
This injunction is costing the taxpayers of Kasson. City attorney fees will add up and the city will be right back to where they were in 2007 when the first injunction was filed.
The old school controversy has been a an emotional roller coaster. I was at an all time high for reuse when Sherman Associates was involved. When they terminated the agreement my emotions went the opposite direction. It's becoming tiresome writing about the subject. Bite the bullet and let's move on.
In order for the project to work financially they were counting on Section 42 housing credits to help fund the project. They requested $396,740 per year for 10 years for the Minnesota Housing tax Credit. They were not awarded the tax credits so the deal was canceled and the purchase agreement terminated.
To me, if a company as reputable as Sherman Associates is unable to make a project profitable without financial backing, I doubt there is another business/individual out there who can. It's time to move on.
This injunction is costing the taxpayers of Kasson. City attorney fees will add up and the city will be right back to where they were in 2007 when the first injunction was filed.
The old school controversy has been a an emotional roller coaster. I was at an all time high for reuse when Sherman Associates was involved. When they terminated the agreement my emotions went the opposite direction. It's becoming tiresome writing about the subject. Bite the bullet and let's move on.
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