Guests
Steve Conard’s daughter, Mattie
Don Sketchley – 2nd visit and planning to join AMBUCS.
Jim Seitnater, Downtown Development Director & Guest Speaker
Jim also will join AMBUCS.
Tuit Report
From Lin Stevens (hopefully I got the right spelling this time):
Jay Pitzer and Greg West did not ask about the Tuit. Jay later asked about it – but did not ask Lin to produce it. Lin gave it to Doyle Ehling.
Program: Presented by Jim Seitnater, the Downtown Hutchinson Director. In the past the dominant Retail and medical groups, that were located in Downtown, have generally moved away. The character of Downtown has changed a lot as a result. It is still important to maintain a vibrant Downtown for the vitality of Hutchinson. The next phase of the Streetscape project will be on West First to the area affected by the explosion. There will eventually be a corridor from the Court House to the Post Office. Much of the cost will be replacing water lines that are 100 years old. The Streetscape project will eventually revitalize Main Street from Carey Park to 7th Ave. The original estimate of cost was from 10 to 12 Million dollars. Bids have come in generally for much less, so more work has been planned.
The expansion of Downtown has come from current businesses expanding. As on example, when Ben Franklin was closed, the owner started a frame shop and leased part of the space to the optical shop that moved from around the corner, makes them Frames and Frames. Downtown space is 85% occupied and has never really been distressed, as in some towns. The exception is the Wiley Building, which is not used as it could be and has great potential. There are currently discussions with the owner in an attempt to work something out for this building. There are currently 80 people living in the Plaza Towers and in the Leon downtown.
Jim is working with the Anchor Inn for a grant to help redo the brick on the front of their building. They will know the results on May 13. The brick needs work on both the north and south building, as well as the one where the bricks fell. Jim is planning on bringing some experts on brick work to Hutchinson for consultations. Grants and tax credits are available for work on building in historic districts.
Club Announcements
AmTrykes: First Readings for Christopher Buck; 13 years old from K.C., KS. myotubular central nuclear myopathy; limited to a power wheelchair for mobility Austin Kozel; 5 years old from Lyons, KS; cerebral palsy; using a wheelchair for mobility Jorge Casillas; 6 years old from Wichita, KS; gait abnormality Ted Hall; 7 years old from Hutchinson.
NJCAA Tourney Tees: Eric Steinle has the work schedule for Tee Shirts at the Tournament. If you do not know your times, check with him. He still needs some more folks to fill in slots, particularly during the day time shifts.
Headstart Hats: First Reading on a request from a group called the Crochet Angels who will crochet 235 hats for Headstart. They will do the knitting, and we will pay for the materials.
Spring Roundup: Bob Bush on the membership drive Lately, several dropped membership for personal reasons unrelated to AMBUCS. We need to bring breakfast guests to replace them.
Bob is looking into recruiting incentives for Friends of AMBUCS (folks who want to stay in touch and may help with our fund raisers, but can’t attend the meetings).
Next Meeting:
Randy Henderson will host Reno County Undersheriff Dennis Stofer, speaking on the jail project
Fines:
Ward Davis could not remember name of who he asked to do the prayer.
Eric Steinle on time for a change fined anyway.
Bob Bush conducting his own meeting, instead of listening to the Sgt of Arms
Paid dearly for the privilege
A long list of questions about Downtown Hutchinson were asked,
with members getting to pay a fine if they did not know the answers.
50/50 Pot Winner
Newsletter Winner
David Ross
Amount not reported
Scott Saylor missed out.
$80.00 next drawing
FUTURE MEETING IDEAS
If you have ideas for programs you would like to see presented,
please contact John Knipp john.knipp@peoplesbankonline.com.