WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW DRAKE COMMUNITY LIBRARY AND THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING…THE CITY OF GRINNELL WAS LEFT WITH TWO UNUSED BUILDINGS.
THE OLD PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING IS FOR SALE…ANDCITY OFFICIALS EXPECT IT TO BE SOLD FAIRLY SOON. THE STEWART LIBRARY HAS BEEN OCCUPIED BY THE GRINNELL AREA ARTS COUNCIL AND IS EXPECTED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT WITHIN FIVE YEARS. THE BUILDING IS STILL OWNED BY THE CITY.
CITY OFFICIALS NOW WANT TO MAKE SURE THE NEW BUILDINGS… INCLUDING THE SOON TO BE COMPLETED AQUATIC CENTER…ARE OPERATED, MANAGED AND MAINTAINED IMPECCABLY…AND THAT THE FACILITIES ARE CLOSELY MONITORED BY CITY STAFF AND ELECTED LEADERS.
THAT LEAVES THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE VETERANS’ MEMORIAL BUILDING. THE CITY MAY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL FIRM TO CONDUCT A SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BYRON WORLEY SAYS THE VETERANS’ BUILDING IN PARTICULAR IS COMING UNDER SCRUTINY. HE SAYS THERE WILL BE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH ALL THE STAKE-HOLDERS REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE BUILDING… INCLUDING THE VETERANS’ MEMORIAL COMMISSION, VETERANS’ GROUPS, CITY STAFF AND THE PUBLIC. ALSO IN THE MIX: MICA MAY MOVE OUT OF THE BUILDING. THE BOTTOM LINE MAY VERY WELL BE…THE BOTTOM LINE. A CITY PLANNING DOCUMENT STATES THAT IT IS APPARENT THAT THE CITY CAN NOT FINANCE THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF ALL THE CURRENT BUILDINGS WITHOUT USES THAT GENERATE REVENUES TO COVER OPERATIONAL COSTS.
