Before Making Up Your Mind…

The catalyst for ownership change was private business.

The idea for city controlling the cupola building originated with Dean Hales. But, really, every owner with property on the square has a vested interest. When buildings are abandoned, the value of whatever remains suffers. The entire community suffers when private investment is discouraged, and nothing hurts a small town more than downtown decay.

Those choosing to build new (rather than rehab) usually opt to locate elsewhere than on the square (i.e. Dollar General, buildings on the east and west of Dungy’s parking lot). Those choosing to rehab are few (i.e. State Farm Insurance, GoldKey). Otherwise, there would be no vacant business buildings in Gallatin to worry about.

Several private business ventures most recently housed in the cupola building failed. The private owner became so discouraged that gifting the property to the city became the best option. In reality, the city faced getting involved with this property sooner (as owner in control) or later (in the courts, condemning the property with mounting tax liens) as the eyesore continued to fester.

The City did not instigate this change of ownership. Private interests along with past, present and future realities prompted this ownership change.

The GIDC was the enabler.

Is a vacant building on the square, especially one with a leaking roof and in need of brickwork, an asset or an albatross?

The easy answer is “Albatross!” if significant taxpayer dollars are spent even before the building is sound to accept. No one paying utility bills in Gallatin wants to waste dollars; Gallatin aldermen would not even consider accepting the building as a gift “as is.”

Money from the Gallatin Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) is enabling this project to happen. During a recent meeting, board members of the long dormant entity agreed to provide up to $50,000 to stabilize the exterior of the buildings, provided that the property is owned by some tax supported entity.

This is unusual for Gallatin.

The GIDC dates back to the 1960s, to the days when the cap factory was attracted to town. Those interested in economic development helped morph the GIDC into the GIDA, which worked with Farmers Electric Cooperative to attract the administrative offices for Continental Grain’s hog confinement operations for North Missouri and to construct the Gallatin Area Business Park on the north edge of town. But legal status of the original GIDC was retained all these years, even though for all practical purposes, efforts ceased.

Shareholders in the GIDC may argue that providing $50,000 to roof a couple of vacant buildings on the Gallatin square is misdirected. Board members, however, are unanimous in the decision.

First, exposure is limited. Tax-supported entities (not community not-for-profit groups and certainly not private individuals) are the only potential receivers of such a gift. In fact, this is considered a one-time expenditure since GIDC accounts will decrease to approximately $25,000 after the gift is made, with no revenue or other anticipated expenses in mind.

Secondly, the $50,000 gift is investing in Gallatin’s future. The original intent for economic development focuses on job creation, hence the word “industrial” in the organizational name. But realities have changed. Chasing smokestacks is reminiscing. In today’s climate, a significant impact by some new retailer to locate here would be incredible news – an announcement even more unlikely if we allow business buildings around our square to crumble.

Thirdly, reinvesting in Gallatin offers more promise than current interest rates for any bank account. There aren’t many choices to reinvest here. Every lot in the business park is in private ownership. GIDC board members are not interested in providing seed money for retailers for various valid reasons.

For more than five decades, few worthy projects commanded attention which would have required a $50,000 expenditure. Relocating city hall into better quarters is actually history repeating itself. Today’s city hall was originally a YMCA building which became available for municipal use as it became vacant.

The GIDC has enabled the City of Gallatin to consider the possibility of relocating city hall if the aldermen so choose. The bet is on Gallatin – such a positive step, and one to which the community can rally.

Loose ends were tidied.

Several agreements were struck that keep taxpayer dollars from being used leading up to this point of the City accepting the property as a gift.

Taxes owed are to be paid before the property converts to municipal ownership. An anonymous donor agreed to provide a significant donation; other property owners affected by the fire plan to pay taxes to clear the books, providing the city withdraws a charge filed against property owners for the tardy removal of fire debris.

Paperwork involved in the legal transfer of private property to city ownership is mostly donated by Lisa Dowell of Grand River Title Company.

A use for the gifted building exists.

A sound exterior structure properly owned by the city is only the beginning. How to perpetually keep the building in meaningful use is the challenge.

In a perfect world, some profitable business would purchase the property from the city to contribute to the tax base, to employ more citizens locally, and to enhance our community. Waiting on that is what put the cupola building in the shape it’s in today.

There is much work to be done. Just removing abandoned debris throughout the first and second floors of the buildings will demand significant effort. It will be interesting to see if the community rallies to this first step. If volunteers pitch in to work together, not only will expense be limited but the time for an open house for public viewing comes sooner rather than later.

Gallatin aldermen have discussed relocating the offices for city clerk and administrator into the cupola building. This idea is attractive if only as a means to get away from the steps and extensive wooden ramp at the current city hall building entrance. The cupola building offers street level entry. The cupola building offers ample space, even improving more space for public meetings. Interior remodeling of the cupola building has already begun by previous ownership, which should allow for finished remodeling at a lower cost.

Relocating city hall into the cupola building improves access, anchors a corner of downtown revitalization, and assures a future for one of Gallatin’s historical landmarks.

No decision on how to use the adjacent space, previously housing Hales Market, has been made. An inquiry to the county commission has been made, since many other towns have a “courthouse annex” in their business district. Other ideas and suggestions are desired. There’s not likely to be a perfect answer or an obvious solution. But perhaps your idea may trigger another so that, eventually, some appropriate use of this available space can be determined.

An opportunity now presents itself.

This is one of those unique times when community spirit shows. An objective is identified: Saving a historical landmark while upgrading a public eyesore. The means are available: City officials accepted a leadership role and can stabilize what might otherwise become an untenable property.

The initial expense that remains involves interior work. The City most likely, and probably most prudently, will be frugal in remodeling the cupola building to become our new city hall. To elevate the project into something to instill community pride depends on …well, what we choose to do.

This is one of those times when you can sit back, watch, and position yourself to criticize, or this is an opportunity to put action to real benefit. Volunteer effort will be necessary to maximize the potential. So, if you’re interested in Gallatin, or if your civic organization really does care about Gallatin’s future, the choice is simple: Be part of a solution.

The stage is set.

Let’s all bet on Gallatin.