Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer — Interest in remodeling the Bessemer City Hall was sparked when members of the Downtown Development Authority learned last week of a new state grant opportunity.
DDA Coordinator Samantha Dorr said the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, known by its acronym of LEO, is offering a Community Center Grant that ranges from $150,000 to $2.5 million.
She said the competitive grant — to which she was alerted by Melissa Lupino, library director of the Bessemer Public Library — is a one-time option rather than a revolving opportunity.
Dorr added that such funding could allow the city, potentially, to remodel the City Hall, in the process adding extra library space and an updated kitchen.
“Air conditioning would be nice,” said Mayor Adam Zak, who noted that he has been in ongoing favor of remodeling the City Hall. “It would be nice to have a community center. We definitely need an addition on the Fire Hall. An outdoor space would be nice.”
That would be awesome,” said DDA Chairman David Osier in response to the possibilities.
Dorr said the deadline for the grant is Aug. 31 and noted that the application likely would need to be submitted by the city rather than the DDA.
Due to the tight time frame, Zak said a special city council meeting might be needed.
“We definitely want to put out our best effort,” he said.
Dorr mentioned that Judy Palmateer, a member of the city’s Planning Commission, probably could assist with the grant application, as she has in the past been “really helpful” with such things.
Zak asked Dorr to put the subject on the next DDA agenda and also asked her to inform Palmateer and City Manager Jennifer Adams about the grant.
In other news at the July 12 meeting, DDA members also:
—Learned from Dorr that Gogebic County has received a grant from the State Land Bank Authority, which will provide funding to demolish the old Gamble’s building, as well as a burned house at 308 E. Lead St. (U.S. 2). Dorr said she is not sure how quickly demolition will occur.
—Voted to approve a façade assistance grant for Karen Stevens, owner of the Leather and Gift Shop in Bessemer. In her application, Stevens said she has secured an estimate of $7,238 for exterior painting, deck staining and a sign update.
—Heard from Dorr that Mike Brown Irrigation Systems in Marengo, Wisconsin, provided a quote of approximately $1,400 to find and repair a leak in the irrigation system that waters greenery and flowers in the Ethnic Commons Park. Zak said he would check for insight first from the city’s Department of Public Works.
—Voted to approve an estimate of $1,762 from the Computer Doctors in Ironwood in relation to setting up a camera on East Mary Street. The camera will provide a live feed on the city’s Facebook page, so as to attract interest to the city. Osier said the camera also could be useful in relation to vandalism issues.
—Voted to table two issues: brainstorming on the DDA’s long-term goals and a pending tree removal near the main street.
The DDA’s next regular meeting will be on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. in the City Council chambers of the Bessemer City Hall.
