Leaders of the community met Monday to talk about upgrading one of the city’s historic properties.
Architects and local steering committee members addressed the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs to discuss the potential of renewing the Memorial Home as a community center.
Brent Mather, of Brenner Design, led the informal meeting by gauging the public’s input on the home’s purpose in the community, its accessibility issues and what priorities the public names for the Memorial Home.
Now, the home is commonly used for wedding receptions and other community events. Brenner Design is using a $50,000 planning grant to assess future renovations to use the home as a community and arts center.
Accommodating large crowds seemed to be top priority to many in attendance.
“I have planned many events in this town, and it is a real challenge to find a place that can hold 300 people or more,” Angie Berry said. “People are going out of town to find those locations, and it is very usual to have a group of 300 or more, especially with wedding receptions.”
Tom Weatherwax agreed.
“I think the main thing we are hearing is that it (the Memorial Home) needs to be designed to be a little bigger or it’s not going to meet the needs of the people,” Weatherwax said.
Mather said currently, the Memorial Home is designed to accommodate crowds of 150 to 250 people. He said considerations for additions or alterations for larger crowds would definitely be discussed.
Other considerations for the plan, Mather said, include accessibility.
“Not just special needs accessibility like wheelchairs and elevators, but we are also looking at general accessibility,” Mather said.
People in the crowd commented that it can be difficult for caterers or bands to get equipment in and out of the building for events.
Kevin Summer of Silver Creek Engineering said part of the plan for the home would include things like drop-off points, turnarounds and street front access. Parking was named as a major need for the Memorial Home.
Another part of the public meeting Monday was establishing the Memorial Home as a vital part of the community. Mather got feedback from the crowd as to why the Memorial Home is cherished in Logansport.
Kiwanians and Rotarians spoke up about their memories at the home. A few remembered teen dances in the basement dating back to 1960. Others mentioned band performances in the 1970’s.
A few people in the crowd recalled special life events at the historic property.
“Our son and daughter-in-law gave us a 25th wedding anniversary party there,” Kiwanis president Bob Dunderman said.
Planning director Stan Williams remembered a gala for the arts at the home in 2005.
Chief deputy prosecutor Lisa Swaim said she and state senator Randy Head were married in the civil-war era home.
Mather said his company was interested in learning more about what the home means to the community and how it can be implemented into future plans for the facility.
He described the cost of the project as “very reasonable.” Projections outline the price tag at $500,000 to $1.2 million.
Mather explained the firm is hoping to secure more funds from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs for up to $500,000. Other grant opportunities exist with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.
Plans to upgrade the building will be submitted for funding May 10, Mather said.
Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.
