State official meets with MAC, local leaders
Architect will assist with design of community center/movie theater project
Staff reporter
Community leaders and professional builders met Monday with a state grant official to discuss a grant application for a community center and movie theater.
Marilyn Graham, grant coordinator with Kansas Department of Commerce, told the 35 to 40 people in attendance it takes the "community pulling together" for the project to become a reality.
"This project needs leaders who are going to make this happen," said Graham. "Volunteers are needed to work evenings and weekends."
At the conclusion of the evening, after exchanges of information and discussion about the project, Graham said she will notify an architect to take the next step in the grant process.
Once a design has been determined by the architect and the city is given the go-ahead by Graham, a formal application will be completed for the grant. Traditional federal grant procedures will be followed for the process.
Those in attendance Monday were invited to the meeting as volunteers with expertise in various aspects of construction — excavation, concrete, general construction, electrical, plumbing, and other trades.
Marion Advancement Campaign board members applied for a Kan-Step grant to help fund the project. The grant, a maximum of $400,000, has funded 18 fire stations, 14 community buildings, and a library.
Graham said a movie theater has not been constructed through a Kan-Step grant.
The next step, said Graham, is for a state-contracted architect to meet with the appropriate people to discuss the project.
"All of the building design is done up front," said Graham. Once the design is determined, changes cannot be made.
"The architect needs to know your plans," said Graham. "Having your plans in place is important."
Once the grant is approved, the architect will determine the number of hours required to complete the project. The cost estimate will determine the amount of labor that can be used as part of the 40 percent match for the grant.
Graham said the big question is, "do you have enough people willing to provide the labor?"
MAC board members have compiled a list of more than 200 volunteers for the project.
Marion City Commission previously approved the city's participation in the grant. The grant is city-sponsored with the funds and payments passing through the city fund.
Since this is a city-sponsored project with federal grant money, bidding is necessary.
Graham said fall would be the earliest the project could possibly be started, and that is if everything goes well.
Insurance is required for the volunteer labor. Since the city has a volunteer fire department, they could have a rider on the insurance policy to cover the volunteers, said Graham.
Graham said the grant money can be used for the building and "anything that can be tied down" such as equipment that can be installed.
The facility has to be for the good of the a community and cannot be used for city business.
The city and community must provide a minimum of a 40 percent matching portion for the project.
At some point, Graham said she would like to attend a community meeting with all volunteers in attendance. The time and day has not been determined but the meeting will be publicized.
