Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met Thursday, at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.  Board members present were:  President, Matt Woods, Mitzi Hager, Janna Bergstedt, and Tena Lawrence, along with Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

Also attending the meeting was Ex-officio member Pam Phillips representing the Jamestown City Council.

 

The board reviewed applications for funding from the City Promotion Capital Construction Fund.

Funds are earmarked for any such projects must be in an area directly related to tourism. In general, the guiding philosophy of this grant program is to assist projects that:

Seek to create new economic benefits through tourism that will encourage overnight stays.

Seek to address needs that are currently being unmet.

Seek to create facilities that do not currently exist in the Jamestown area.

Seek to create experiences that will enhance the time visitors spend in Jamestown.

 

Swedlund said there was $40,000 in funding available in this round.

The funds stem from 20 percent of annual restaurant taxes.

 

Requests:

Audubon Society represented by Marshall Johnson of Fargo, and Dr. Robert Bates of Jamestown.

The National Buffalo Museum represented by Director Ilana Xinos

The1883 Stutsman County Courthouse represented by Steve Reidburn

And the Frontier Village represented by Secretary-Treasurer, Tina Busche

Each agency had 10 minutes for their present followed with time for questions.

 

The National Buffalo Museum  requested $8,200 in Capital Construction Funds to be used to replace the access door to the observation deck, along with installing a window along the museum’s east wall overlooking the observation deck. Museum Director, Ilana Xinos said the improvements will allow an all seasons utilization, with the hallway to contain the Buffalo Hall of Fame, so visitors can learn the importance of the hall of fame.

The Board approved funding the full amount, of $8,200.

 

A total of $8,000 was requested for the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, for the installation, design and purchase of interpretive signs and panels.

Steve Reidburn oversees the courthouses, operations on a year round basis.

He pointed out limited funding from the state to due budget cuts this biennium.

He said, four interpretive panels would cost about $1,500 each and would point out to visitors the location and historical significance of:   the door at the courtroom along with the jury room judge’s chambers, the attorney’s room and the balcony.

He pointed out that last summer there were 2,100 visitors including tours by students from Louis L’Amour Elementary School in Jamestown, and students from Medina, and Edgeley.

The board tabled a decision on the request until the November Grant/Executive Board, meeting, pending additional information.

 

The Frontier Village represented by Tina Busche, requested a total of  $22,250  to cover material and labor for:

Medical/Optometrist Building, the former surveyors building, in the amount of $3,820.

Other funding source: $2,439 in dedicated funds.

 

Also including was a request was funding of the Large Caboose, for $18,430, to fix the structure in its entirety, or $2,014 for temporary fixes.

The request indicated the caboose needs a new roof, walls, flooring, siding, windows, and new decking on he exterior landing.

Other funding source $2,795 in dedicated funds for the project.

The board voted unanimously to fund the request of $3,820 for the Medical/Optometrist Building, to include addressing foundation issues, and the building including an interpretive message for visitors.

The board moved considering  the funding for the Large Caboose, to the March, 2018 City Promotion Capital Construction Fund meeting.

The board members concurred that the Frontier Village needs to provide more information on their plans relative to the interpretive aspect of the former Midland Continental Railroad structure, and the historical aspects included in the renovations.  The Tourism Board suggested they look at the caboose in Wimbledon, and the Rosebud Visitor’s Center in Valley City.

The Audubon Society represented by Marshall Johnson from Fargo, and Dr. Robert Bates of Jamestown, and the Audubon Dakota, chapter, requested funds for the Audubon Society, Edward M. Brigham III Alkali Lake project of the construction of the new Brigham Ranch Event Barn, at Alkali Lake, South of Spiritwood Lake.

Ranch, event barn, known as a birding “hot spot.”  The Brigham Ranch pole barn was destroyed in a 2016 storm.

Johnson said there are about 30,000 Audubon Society members within a three hour drive of Jamestown.

The application states, the funding request is for $25,000 for construction sponsorship of the second floor ballroom loft to host large events for conservation and agriculture focused, workshops, tours, and other events such as weddings, or holiday parties.

$10,000 toward the project has come from other sources.  In kind labor and supplies have been provided, equivalent to $4,266, and the Audubon Society will be providing a $25,000 in-kind match to the new construction.

The application noted that other funds for the project come from the Jamestown Community Foundation in the amount of $5,000 and a $5,000 donation for Dr. Robert and Kathi Bates of Jamestown. $5,000 will be used for the dormer on the building.
Audubon Dakota has contributed $75,000 toward the project. Members have contributed in-kind labor.

Ultimately, Audubon Dakota will provide $25,000 of in-kind to the construction.

The board voted unanimously to fund the full requested amount of $25,000.