Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism, City Promotion, Capital Construction Fund meeting was held Thursday, at the CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.

Members present included:  President Matt Woods, Tena Lawrence, Frank Balak, and Paulette Ritter.

Ex Officio Members,  Pam Phillips Jamestown City Council, Emily Bivens Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

No Conflicts of Interest……None were voted to accept.

The Goals and Objectives of Capital Construction Fund were outlined.

Each March 1st and October 1st the grant requests are due.

The Funds are city-held and represent an allocation of 20-percent of the restaurant  tax funds collected.  The goal for this meeting is to allocate $40,000.

Making presentations were:

Fort Seward – Civil War Camping represented by Jennie Marks, Meggan Smith

The request is for  $15,226.05, as Fort Seward wants to offer guests a one of a kind experience, by having the site be the first in the area to offer a “Glamping Site.”  Each site will be furnished with authentic 1870’s gear, ensuring a unique experience, while learning some of the historic locations. Modern amenities will be included, including shower facilities.  Three to four  “Sibley Tents,” are in the plans, built on a platform, which will be furnished.

The site will be open 12 weeks , with the rent between $20 and $30 per night.

The economic impact is $154,000, if fully rented over the 12 weeks.

The board approved, $13,703

 

The 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse – Citizenship Exhibit represented by Robert Hanna, State Historical Society, Site Manager, from Bismarck, requested $26,795 for the Courthouse Citizenship Exhibit, to help make the 1883 Courthouse the first museum in the United States specifically addressing the exercise of citizenship.  Specified rooms in the courthouse will contain various aspects of citizenship.   The exhibit dedication and Open House is Planned for May of 2020.

The Board approved, $24,115.

Jack Brown Stadium – First Base Bleachers project, represented by Doug Hogan, requested an additional $50,000, for the bleachers, and press box. Other funding is $145,000 from Jamestown Parks and Recreation, Plus private donations.

It was noted that at the March meeting this year, the board allocated $20,000 toward the bleacher project, and asked Jamestown Parks and Recreation to return to the October allocation meeting.

The current bleachers and press box were originally built in the 1960’s, and now present safety concerns.  The new bleachers will be raised, and ADA accessible.  It related to tourism because the stadium hosts  regional conference, state and regional tournaments, at the high school and college level, along with state invitational tournament, amateur, American Legion, Babe Ruth, tournaments.

The improvements allow Jamestown to compete with larger cities to host the tournaments on a rotational basis.

The project is slated to start this fall, with completion anticipated in the spring of 2020.

The board approved funding $1,200, noting other funding sources, and that it is not a “new” visitors experience.

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