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Who is the East Side School Development Committee?
East Side School Development Committee is an Iowa Non-Profit Corporation that has received a 501(C)3 tax-exempt status from the United States Treasury. It has been in existence for approximately two years and consists of local citizens who are interested in the development and maintenance of the East Side School Building as a community education and arts center. The East Side School Development Committee was authorized by the school board in 2004 to proceed with the planning for the renovation and maintaining of the East Side School building, and also to conduct the financial planning and fundraising necessary to accomplish these tasks. The East Side School Development Committee is a non-member organization, operated by a board of directors. Discussions are underway to convert to a member organization, particularly for the purposes of supporting the ongoing operations.
What is the proposed use of the building?
The proposed use of the building is as a community education and arts center. Potential tenants for the building include educational organizations with ongoing classes or special programming. One exciting potential tenant is a community energy center non-profit corporation, which would use education, demonstration, direct assistance, and partnerships to help individuals and businesses reduce energy costs. Additionally, rental spaces are being considered for the arts, including artist studios, teaching areas, display areas, and retail sales areas. Office and organizational space for non-profit organizations is anticipated, which could be utilized by the city or county, among others. A Technology Literacy and Applications Center, which may well include multi-task television, video and audio studios is also being pursued. Initial discussions with several potential tenants are in process. Across the country, communities that are adapting historic buildings for new uses have found that interest in renting space grows as renovation occurs, leading fairly quickly to full occupancy and sustainable operation.
How will we be able to provide security in the building to keep undesirable people away from school children?
As you can see from the listing of proposed tenants, we are striving to bring in organizations suitable for a building in close proximity to the school campus. We have generated strict criteria for selecting appropriate tenants, placing high priority on groups that can form strong educational partnerships with the schools. The security in the building will be equivalent to the schools, churches, public library and other public locations that have school age children in proximity of adults.
What is all of this going to cost?
A professional architect, Douglas J. Steinmetz was commissioned by the East Side School Development Committee to provide a set of cost estimates and building plans in 2005. An estimate of $2 million was given for a phased, partial renovation of the building, which would cover all exterior & interior infrastructure work and prepare one floor for immediate use. A full renovation was estimated to be $3 million. The school board has consulted with architects that have suggested that since Steinmetz's estimates, costs may have risen by 20%. The School Board has also indicated by its 2006 resolutions that East Side School Development should show the ability to have an additional endowment for the ongoing costs of the building.
How will the on-going operation of the building be funded?
Annual estimated operating costs are $120,000- inclusive of the utilities, general maintenance, personnel, insurance and building upkeep. The building will be supported by a combination of three sources:
Rents from tenants;
Memberships by supporting individuals and organizations; and
Reserve funds and interest from the endowment
Each of these aspects is in development to help ensure that the building is self-sufficient.
Who owns the East Side School Building?
The Decorah Community School District.
How is East Side School Development Committee going to have any control over the building?
There are many ways in which the East Side School Development Committee could obtain control over the building, but the primary one is to enter in to a long-term lease with the school board. The school board is willing to consider extending a long-term (10-year minimum) lease to the building, with subsequent long-term renewals. The board has, by resolution, announced that if the East Side School Development Committee shows sufficient financial resources by raising $3.2 million by May of 2007 the board will make a long-term legal commitment to East Side.
What is the current condition of the East Side school building and is it worth renovating?
The general condition of the building is quite good. The foundation is solid, the lines are straight, the brick is of high quality and largely intact, the windows are fairly well preserved, the overall structure is strong. Architects & engineers familiar with older buildings have expressed surprise at the integrity and generally good condition of East Side school given it’s age and use for over 100 years.
How will this project impact Decorah and Winneshiek County?
Cultural, arts, and historic activities or events are popular among U.S. travelers, according to the Travel Industry of America. Their studies found that 81% of adults who traveled 50 miles or more away from home included at least one of these activities in the trip. This represents over 118 million adult historic/cultural travelers. Also, these visitors tend to stay longer and spend more money than other travelers.
East Side School renovated into a Community Education & Arts Center will add to the attractiveness of Decorah and Winneshiek County, both for tourists and for newcomers. It will add to local income through increased tourism, stimulate economic development and enrich the lives of current residents.
East Side School Development Committee is an Iowa Non-Profit Corporation that has received a 501(C)3 tax-exempt status from the United States Treasury. It has been in existence for approximately two years and consists of local citizens who are interested in the development and maintenance of the East Side School Building as a community education and arts center. The East Side School Development Committee was authorized by the school board in 2004 to proceed with the planning for the renovation and maintaining of the East Side School building, and also to conduct the financial planning and fundraising necessary to accomplish these tasks. The East Side School Development Committee is a non-member organization, operated by a board of directors. Discussions are underway to convert to a member organization, particularly for the purposes of supporting the ongoing operations.
What is the proposed use of the building?
The proposed use of the building is as a community education and arts center. Potential tenants for the building include educational organizations with ongoing classes or special programming. One exciting potential tenant is a community energy center non-profit corporation, which would use education, demonstration, direct assistance, and partnerships to help individuals and businesses reduce energy costs. Additionally, rental spaces are being considered for the arts, including artist studios, teaching areas, display areas, and retail sales areas. Office and organizational space for non-profit organizations is anticipated, which could be utilized by the city or county, among others. A Technology Literacy and Applications Center, which may well include multi-task television, video and audio studios is also being pursued. Initial discussions with several potential tenants are in process. Across the country, communities that are adapting historic buildings for new uses have found that interest in renting space grows as renovation occurs, leading fairly quickly to full occupancy and sustainable operation.
How will we be able to provide security in the building to keep undesirable people away from school children?
As you can see from the listing of proposed tenants, we are striving to bring in organizations suitable for a building in close proximity to the school campus. We have generated strict criteria for selecting appropriate tenants, placing high priority on groups that can form strong educational partnerships with the schools. The security in the building will be equivalent to the schools, churches, public library and other public locations that have school age children in proximity of adults.
What is all of this going to cost?
A professional architect, Douglas J. Steinmetz was commissioned by the East Side School Development Committee to provide a set of cost estimates and building plans in 2005. An estimate of $2 million was given for a phased, partial renovation of the building, which would cover all exterior & interior infrastructure work and prepare one floor for immediate use. A full renovation was estimated to be $3 million. The school board has consulted with architects that have suggested that since Steinmetz's estimates, costs may have risen by 20%. The School Board has also indicated by its 2006 resolutions that East Side School Development should show the ability to have an additional endowment for the ongoing costs of the building.
How will the on-going operation of the building be funded?
Annual estimated operating costs are $120,000- inclusive of the utilities, general maintenance, personnel, insurance and building upkeep. The building will be supported by a combination of three sources:
Rents from tenants;
Memberships by supporting individuals and organizations; and
Reserve funds and interest from the endowment
Each of these aspects is in development to help ensure that the building is self-sufficient.
Who owns the East Side School Building?
The Decorah Community School District.
How is East Side School Development Committee going to have any control over the building?
There are many ways in which the East Side School Development Committee could obtain control over the building, but the primary one is to enter in to a long-term lease with the school board. The school board is willing to consider extending a long-term (10-year minimum) lease to the building, with subsequent long-term renewals. The board has, by resolution, announced that if the East Side School Development Committee shows sufficient financial resources by raising $3.2 million by May of 2007 the board will make a long-term legal commitment to East Side.
What is the current condition of the East Side school building and is it worth renovating?
The general condition of the building is quite good. The foundation is solid, the lines are straight, the brick is of high quality and largely intact, the windows are fairly well preserved, the overall structure is strong. Architects & engineers familiar with older buildings have expressed surprise at the integrity and generally good condition of East Side school given it’s age and use for over 100 years.
How will this project impact Decorah and Winneshiek County?
Cultural, arts, and historic activities or events are popular among U.S. travelers, according to the Travel Industry of America. Their studies found that 81% of adults who traveled 50 miles or more away from home included at least one of these activities in the trip. This represents over 118 million adult historic/cultural travelers. Also, these visitors tend to stay longer and spend more money than other travelers.
East Side School renovated into a Community Education & Arts Center will add to the attractiveness of Decorah and Winneshiek County, both for tourists and for newcomers. It will add to local income through increased tourism, stimulate economic development and enrich the lives of current residents.
Who is the East Side School Development Committee?
What is the proposed use of the building?
How will we be able to provide security in the building to keep undesirable people away from school children?
What is all of this going to cost?
How will the on-going operation of the building be funded?
Who owns the East Side School Building?
How is East Side School Development Committee going to have any control over the building?
What is the current condition of the East Side school building and is it worth renovating?
How will this project impact Decorah and Winneshiek County?
What is the proposed use of the building?
How will we be able to provide security in the building to keep undesirable people away from school children?
What is all of this going to cost?
How will the on-going operation of the building be funded?
Who owns the East Side School Building?
How is East Side School Development Committee going to have any control over the building?
What is the current condition of the East Side school building and is it worth renovating?
How will this project impact Decorah and Winneshiek County?
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