Regional Event Center

by Michael Smith
(In discussion with Committee members Carolynn Klees, Don Jacoby, Bill Jewson, Rollin Hall, Rolf Thompson, Bill Davidson, Ed McBride, Chad Springer, Al Wharton, and Lynn Schoen)
There is a perceived need, if not a proven fact, in Wabasha for a community facility that can hold events from large wedding receptions to concerts, from smaller regional conventions to Grandpa’s Barn Boutique.
A committee of Chamber of Commerce members and others is working on a $1.5 million Use Agreement plan, recently approved by the Wabasha City Council as reported in last week’s Herald, to fill that void...and fill several other needs in the community...and not to be in competition with other local businesses, but rather, support and boost them...and do it at no cost to the city’s taxpayers.
The Committee’s mission is to create a regional event center where members of our community can gather for social, educational, celebratory, cultural or recreational activities, while at the same time, helping to invigorate and sustain our downtown area.
The facility, being designed by Owen Warneke Architects, would be under a 20-year lease agreement—if all benchmarks are met. The agreement is similar in that regard to the Eagle Center. There will be no capital investment or operating costs to the City other than the land. The city will retain ownership of the building.
If it gets the necessary funding and all criteria, as set forth by the City is met, the project could begin construction in late 2015 for opening in the spring of 2016. It would be located on current city-owned property at the corner of Alleghany Avenue and West Second Street where a parking lot currently exists. The former Wabasha Transfer building and adjacent Glander building next to the parking lot, would be torn down. A parking lot then would be added to the east of the building, where the Transfer building is now, adding an additional 14 parking spaces.
It’s new “modern brick” outside design matches, or would be similar to, that of the Eagle Center, and would, the committee believes, greatly enhance that section of the downtown—one of the first things visitors see when entering the downtown area.
With their theme for this facility being “An Asset for Generations to Gather,” Jacoby and his fellow committee members are putting together the material and information for the grant application, which they will present to the state legislature when it resumes in January.
Originally dubbed a “Community Center,” the committee feels it will be much more than that and the group is currently working on a proper and fitting name for this multi-purpose regional event center. The important thing to note is the multi-purpose facility is something they–and many others—know is needed here.
The committee feels that as we look into the future of Wabasha and what is transpiring around us, we must be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented to us, such as the DMC (Rochester’s Destination Medical Center.)
“The DMC is a unique and groundbreaking undertaking that will have an enormous social, economic and ecological impact on the many townships, counties and communities surrounding Rochester. Some of the impacts that would merit regional discussion, deliberation and planning include: population and employment trends; physical and social infrastructure; lifestyle and culture; and natural resources and the environment. And that’s just to name a few.”
“Currently there’s no place for a group of up to 400 people to gather, other than a gymnasium, in Wabasha,” committee member Carolynn Klees commented. “In today’s market, that’s not the answer to everybody’s needs. We’re losing weddings, business meetings, banquets and other activities to other communities because we don’t have a facility like this to offer.”
That’s one aspect of this project.Other aspects would be that it will provide much-needed public restrooms, the Chamber of Commerce offices—which will eliminate the need for the Chamber to pay monthly rental fees, as it now does—housing for RJAC Art Shows and a venue for possible concerts and programs, etc., among others. The Chamber would maintain the public restrooms, at no cost to the City.
The only kitchen area in this new facility would be a “warm-up” kitchen for catering. ALL activities there needing food, beverages and alcohol would be catered—presumably and preferably by a local restaurant or business.
Another driving force for this facility is the need to provide usable space for Grandpa’s Barn. That autumn sales market, which is tied in very closely with the ultra-successful multi-week SeptOberfest celebration here, has grown in sales and influence “exponentially” in the past couple of years.
“It’s incredible how much sales have increased at Grandpa’s Barn since that began being held downtown three years ago,” Klees pointed out. “That event drew 19,000 people here this year. It’s gotten to the point that it’s become a major contributor to the local economy and is the largest funding source for the Chamber of Commerce operations. We NEED to keep that going and this facility will help us do that.”
Klees noted, too, that having Grandpa’s Barn downtown rather than across the highway or on the fringe of the city is essential because it is just one more attraction to bring people downtown and to support other local businesses around it.
“This facility can make that entire block more attractive and potentially draw other businesses into the area.
As of this point, this multi-purpose regional event center, by whatever name it ultimately becomes, will, include:
•A Lobby to be used for RJAC Shows and Reception Area;
•Vestibule to control access;
•Event/Banquet Center for up to 400 people;
•Caterer’s Kitchen;
•Tourist/Visitor Information Area;
•Chamber of Commerce Offices;
•Public Restrooms with outside only entrance;
•Private Restrooms for the Regional Event Center;
•Storage.
Other uses for the facility, not already mentioned, would include an Event Center for quilt or antique shows, barn dances, home and garden shows and Christmas shows, for example; the Halloween party for kids, and training facilities.
Selling points for the location across from the Wabasha Public Library include:
•easy access and available parking. The city has identified 324 parking spaces along 2nd Street. Demolition of the Glander building would provide an additional 14 parking spaces in the adjacent lot over what currently is available in the existing parking lot;
•it’s a prime location and perfect bookend to the National Eagle Center to maintain pedestrian traffic in the heart of downtown;
•its proximity to Main Street for the public restrooms.
Bill Jewson noted that the parking figured into this plan does not include Main street parking. “We don’t want to negatively affect available parking for Main Street retail and businesses. Certainly, at times some of those parking spaces would become available, as well.”
With the city’s unanimous approval of the architect’s plan last Wednesday, the next timeline date for the project is June 1st, 2015, when fund-raising and business marketing plans are presented to the City. Evidence of financing would then be presented by September 1st.
The Committee stated “We won’t put a shovel in the ground until we’ve got the financial commitments in place to proceed.”.
Construction could then begin by November 1st of 2015 with a potential opening in the spring of 2016. All of these time lines are, naturally, “flexible,” but that is the current goal. “If we have to delay that somewhat, we will,” Jacoby said. “We want to do it right.”
Last but not least, this will require another capital campaign to fund the cost of the facility. The united efforts of everyone will be required to make this project happen. As the project gets more identified and grants are applied for, the committee will then enact a donor campaign in 2015.
However, if you feel inclined to donate yet in 2014, checks will be accepted as follows. All donations are tax deductible and donations will be so recognized on the pledge sculpture. Please make checks payable to the Wabasha-Kellogg Area Community Foundation, or WKACF, and mail to: WKACF–Regional Event Center, P.O. Box 122 Wabasha, MN. 55981 or see one of the Committee Members.