Gasconade County Republican

Architect’s report to be presented at board’s Dec. 3 meeting

Aldermen sought a professional evaluation of the site to help them decide if the city should accept the offer. That report is expected to be delivered later this week and aldermen are scheduled to discuss the issue when they convene at 7 p.m. Monday  at City Hall.

Ward 2 Alderman John Kamler is asking for community input on the issue prior to the meeting. Kamler submitted a letter this week to “the citizens of Owensville” which begins:

As many of you may, or may not be aware, the City of Owensville has been offered a most generous gift of the former 3-5 Center and acreage from Don Lenauer and Jim Decker. Before we, as aldermen, accept, or decline, this generous offer we felt we needed to do our due diligence and see what kind of cost factors may, or may not be, involved in maintenance and upkeep, potential re-models, asbestos abatement, partial demolition or full demolition (etcetera). We, therefore, procured an architectural firm to give us these cost analysis.”

Aldermen in September unanimously approved spending up to $5,600 for a report to be completed by Jacquelyn Rogers of J. Rogers Architecture, Inc., out of St. James. Rogers had initially quoted the project for $4,800 but aldermen asked for additional estimates for asbestos abatement and cost options should the city accept the building and decide to demolish a portion of, or all of the structure. Rogers quoted the additional $800 for these estimates. Her proposal was approved by ordinance (No. 1128) on Sept. 4.

“I, along with my fellow aldermen, are asking you citizens to come to this meeting and see what is presented,” Kamler wrote. “I would also ask that we receive input/ideas on what could be utilized with this building and grounds.

“We have tossed around many ideas — a recreation/youth center, government building, office complex, satellite college school, re-locate city hall and police department, holding cells for sheriffs department, law offices, satellite offices for Gasconade County, and many other ideas.

“We welcome any and all input. If you can not attend this meeting please let your aldermen know what you think. Any and all ideas are encouraged. Before we make our final decision we would appreciate input from the community. I believe that most of us will agree that we are in desperate need of a youth/recreation center and many other facilities that I feel could come to fruition with the acceptance of this gift. It will take a lot of ingenuity, creativity, and perseverance to make any thing like this happen and I feel we are up to the task provided the costs are feasible. Please plan to attend on Monday. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Decker and Lenauer purchased the site for $200,000 from the Gasconade County R-2 School District through a public bidding process when the building was declared surplus after the new elementary school was finished and open in 2007. The school district retained the use of the bus barn through a rental agreement until a new facility was constructed on the district’s Highway 19 North campus.

That piece of property has since been sold off by the Owensville businessmen. The Dec. 3 meeting is open to the public.