Two parcels of real estate located at North Walker Street in Marion, Ky. have been acquired by Fohs Hall, Inc (FH). These properties are important to Fohs Hall for future development. Development of these properties will be in three phases:
1. ACQUISITION:
– “Hayes Property”-FH has purchased the “Hayes Property” from Bryant Hayes and Evelyn Hayes for $20,000. The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum (Mineral Museum) has agreed to purchase ½ interest in this property for $10,000. The Mineral Museum and FH have agreed to jointly own the property with the Museum utilizing the red brick structure for much needed storage and FH will utilize the frontage on Walker Street for ingress and egress nd parking.
– “Hayward Property”-FH purchased this property from Ric Carder for $35,000. The goal is to develop this property for limited parking, but primarily for a park consisting of “green space”, a small playground, and eventually an outdoor pavilion for outdoor performances.
2. DEMOLITION:
– The structure on the Hayward Property must be demolished. FH is obtaining 3 bids to raze the building, remove material and level the lot. It is contemplated that this phase will be completed in early 2023.
3. DEVELOPMENT:
– The goal is to develop the property into a park area with “green space and walking areas with a small playground. The ultimate goal will be to construct an outdoor pavilion or amphitheater performance area. To survey, design and engineer the project FH has retained the services of Frank Williams, engineer (P.E) of Ronald Johnson & Associates, P.S.C.
HOW DO WE PAY FOR THE PROJECT?
INITIAL FUNDING: Fohs Hall has initially committed $60,000. The Mineral Museum is in for $10,000 and Crittenden County Tomorrow, Inc. (CCT) has pledged $50,000 initially to get the project started. This brings the total to $120,000 which should be sufficient to cover the acquisition and demolition phases.
GRANTS:
– FH is in the process of making a grant application under the “Nonprofit Assistance Fund” This grant portal is designed to help nonprofits that were negatively impacted by COVID and compares 2020 net revenues to 2021. We anticipate this application being in the $40,000-$50,000 range. Deadline for this app is October 1.
– in 2023 FH will apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant through the Ky Dept of Local Government. This will be a matching grant and we will utilize the initial funding as a matching source for the grant. It is contemplated that the grant deadline will be May 31, 2023.
OTHER SOURCES:
At the appropriate time other funding sources will be explored. FINALLY, VISION – sometimes requires a leap of faith
– 1926 Julius Fohs had vision in just 4 years will mark the 100th Anniversary of FH
– 1982 local leaders had vision when they formed FH Inc and accepted deed from Crittenden Co Board of Education
– mid 1980s FH had vision to apply for a series of Historic Preservation Grants
– Ten years ago Frances Sohn (daughter of JF) had vision when she left a sizable gift to FH
– Several years ago Linda Schumann had vision when she created CCTI
– last year FH Board had vision when embarked on the Performing Arts S&L campaign
– and Now we have a vision of a new development (although we don’t know exactly what the final product will look like) that will carry on the vision of Julius Fohs, Frances Sohn and Linda Schumann for the benefit of citizens of this community for years to come;
Part of the Cultural Arts Corridor (CC Historical Museum, Ben EC Mineral Museum & Fohs Hall and this new park.
