Shenandoah Vision Team
The Shenandoah Vision Team met on March 15, 2018, with Sara Levinson, Russell Comer, Jr., Dorothy Pendley, Romeo Pugliese, Nancy Karnes, Nancy Boyer, Mary Ellen Smith, Tanya Hensley, and Juanita Roudabush attending.
The Small Business Development Center's Sarah Levinson led the discussion. On behalf of the Town, she announced there would be a Cemetery Cleanup on Saturday, April 7 (rain date April 14) at Fields United Methodist Cemetery on Morrison Road. Volunteers with their own hand tools are needed to assist with the cleanup of this cemetery where many of the Town's founders and veterans are buried. More information is available by contacting the Computer Center or just show up on the cleanup date.
Railroad Museum Group is moving forward. Coordinator Russell Comer, Jr. reported the actual building of a museum will move slow until funding is obtained. However, they have received a $10,000 donation to purchase the land on First Street and the Town should own the property before the end of this month. He noted the land is valued at $25,000 and the current owner paid more than they are willing to sell it for since it is for the Town's proposed railroad museum. He also has two (2) more donors with one of them donating the funds for the closing costs on the land and the second one donating $10,000 funds toward the architect and engineering plans and possibly some of the excavating needed. The donations are being made directly to the Town and the Town will own the property and eventually operate the railroad museum. He noted if the Page County Board of Supervisors is willing to support with the $30,000 TOT requested, they can move forward even further with this railroad museum. Furthermore, he noted many people are excited and want to see this railroad museum become a reality and he feels like there will be other donations in the future as well as the opportunity from grant funding. He noted people are planning to donate items to display in the museum as well.
A Committee meeting is scheduled for next week (Friday, March 23rd at 10 a.m. at the computer center) to discuss more of the details.
Nancy Karnes reported the repairs to the caboose at Stevens Cottage are also moving forward and the plan is for the contractor, hired by Shenandoah Heritage Center, will have the roof and siding replaced prior to the Memorial Day Festival. They are using money they have fundraised through donations and proceeds from dinners, etc. to complete the initial repairs needed. She stated if the Page County Board of Supervisors is willing to support their TOT fund request of $25,000, they can move forward with the handicap entrance to this historic structure too.
The Events and Activities Group with sub-group of Gathering Places is moving forward. Coordinator Matt Queen could not be present at the meeting today, but last word received was he expects the archery range will be a reality by March 2018. The group is also working towards other events, including a 5k Run in the future. Deborah Mardino left a message that her work schedule prohibits her from attending these meetings, but she does still want to be involved. She will try to attend evening meetings and wants to help with activities after her wedding in June.
Mary Ellen Smith briefly discussed Themed Days for local restaurants. She noted she left messages for Ian Rudolph (Rudy's North Side Diner) and Dan Haggett (Boxcar Deli & Subs), but have not received responses yet. She plans to visit them both soon to determine what their needs and desires are for the restaurant themed days.
Following questions about railroad themed days at Boxcar Deli & Subs being on the same night as the May Cruise In, Juanita Roudabush noted the owner was planning to give away some sort of small item (like a railroad cap for children) and invite people to view the model train displays. He knows they probably will not sell much food during the event, since there will be a food vendor at the Cruise In. He was hoping to get people in the door and give them a menu to possibly return later or have food delivered locally at some point in the future.
Romeo Pugliese stated he had to miss some meetings due to his work schedule and special events at the restaurant, but does have some ideas for the future and will work towards those as time permits.
Main Street Affiliate - Possible Grant
Sara Levinson stated the Town of Shenandoah is a Main Street Affiliate and has the benefit of obtaining grant funds up to $7,000 to conduct a study to determine what type of businesses may thrive in the Town and where they should be located. The detailed studies are based off traffic flows, market studies, and other parameters. She noted Community Planning Partners have expertise in these types of studies, which involve the community and this team, as well. The Town could use in-kind volunteer hours as a match to the funding. Applications for the next cycle of funding are due January 2019.
Juanita noted the Town Council would need to give approval before any grants are applied for in the future. She also inquired if the funding would be restricted to only the Downtown Historic Commercial District (which currently holds the Main Street Affiliate status) or if it could cover the entire Town, especially along First Street and US Hwy 340 in Town?
Sara provided more information on these grants, which are through the Department of Housing and Community Development and reiterated the Town is eligible because of its Main Street Affiliate status. She stated the funding would cover the commercial districts of US Hwy 340 and First Street and the study would include both commercial areas.
Following more questions, Sara explained the Town of Shenandoah could partner with other localities, such as Stanley and/or Elkton. She noted Luray is already a full Main Street, with its own paid staff, etc., and therefore, would not be eligible as a partner. She noted the Town of Luray supports its Main Street status with funding of around $40,000 a year and if Shenandoah wanted to partner with another locality, then each would provide funding for one coordinator. She noted this is something the team could explore more in the future.
Russ Comer noted the past study from Virginia Tech noted one of the main things to accomplish was to get problem areas cleaned up. While there are some areas still needing attention, one of the junk car dealers is no longer in business and all the vehicles and debris removed, which helped clean up one area.
Financial/Record Keeping
Due to lack of time at today's meeting, this item was not discussed. However, Vision Team Members are asked to bring their ideas regarding finances and how they should be kept to the next meeting for everyone to discuss further and make a decision as to how they would like it handled.
Communications
Any Committee holding meetings or having news to report should forward the information to Nancy Boyer, as she previously accepted the responsibility for getting the notices of meetings and events out to the team and the public. Nancy Boyer pointed out Craig Lancto is still willing to post on the Vision Team Facebook page and she would accept the job of getting the notices to Juanita and Craig to forward onto others and post on the sites.
Upcoming meeting
The next meeting will be on the third Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 8 a.m. at the Computer Center, 411 Second Street, Shenandoah, VA.
