|
 During the meeting, the board
approved a motion made by Steve Parrott to take over the ownership
and management of the Mill on Route 66 Museum. The motion carried by
unanimous vote with members present being Emily Davenport, Parrott,
Neal Patel, Nila Smith, Jim Wessbecher, Tracy Welch, Marilyn Wheat
and Kathie Williams.
The board has been considering a proposal from Geoff Ladd
representing the Route 66 Heritage Foundation for the last few
months. Ladd had approached the board saying that the Heritage
Foundation was going to be dissolving and the future of the Mill was
in limbo. He said that there was some interest from other parties to take it over, but he felt it was
in the best interest of the community for the Mill to remain locally
owned and managed.
During the initial discussions about the proposal at the LCTB board
meeting in November, board members expressed a desire to keep the
Mill locally owned, and also to keep it running at least through
2026, which is the 100 year anniversary of Route 66.
Some of the concerns voiced at the November meeting from board
members included the overall cost of running the Mill and whether or
not the LCTB could fit those costs into its budget. It was reported
that the primary overhead costs were the insurance on the building
and utilities. In all the Mill is currently being managed with a
budget of less than $5,000 per year, but is manned by all volunteer
help.
There were also questions about assumed debt and the overall
condition of the Mill building.
In January Ladd met with Gleason, Smith and Welch to talk about the
Mill and answer questions. Gleason reported that she had checked
with the LCTB’s insurance agent Chris Coyne and received a quote for
insurance on the building and had received a quote that was actually
better coverage than the Mill currently has at a lower premium.
Ladd also provided her with a run-down of the utility costs. Because
the Mill is open only during the late spring to early fall, total
utilities came to just under $2,000 for the year.
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The group talked about the inventory in the gift shop and
consignment products as well as items in the museum that are on loan from third
parties. Ladd said he would provide the LCTB with a list of items owned by
others as well as a list of consigners at the gift shop.
He also reported that the Mill is debt free.
Ladd and the foundation have continued moving forward with their event planning
for the 2020 season and he reported that all the events that have taken place in
the past such as the Railsplitter Car Show, and the Mill's participation in the
annual National Railsplitter Contest and Festival weekend are set for 2020.
Plans are also underway for the second annual Route 66 Weekend.
Ladd said that while the LCTB is now taking the lead, he wants to
stay involved, assisting with the transition and volunteering at the Mill when
possible. He added that while there are some volunteers that are no longer able
to help out, there are others who are still interested in being involved in the
Mill and he would help with that transition as well.
Gleason has been serving on the Route 66 Heritage Foundation Board for the past
year, and also has a rapport with those volunteers.
Before the vote this month, the board discussed issues that will need to be
addressed. It hopes to utilize volunteers, but will also be looking into hiring
one part-time staff person to man the Mill five afternoons a week, Tuesday
through Sunday, during the typical season.
Immediate concerns for the building include taking care of the north side where
the old kitchen has been removed. That side of the building is finished with
pressed board and paint, and is deteriorating. The board will consider putting a
more durable finish on that side of the building, such as siding.
The LCTB Board on the whole agreed that maintaining the Mill at least through
2026 is vitally important to the Logan County draw of Route 66 visitors. It is
estimated that in the 100th year there will be millions of travelers cross the
country on Route 66. Drawing attention to Logan County’s Route 66 attractions
will enhance tourism countywide. It will bring in overnight stays at local
motels, will offer visitors the opportunities to shop downtown stores, enjoy
local eateries, and purchase gas and convenience items as they prepare to head
on down the road.
[Nila Smith] |
