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Read comments (5)In a interview on Monday, Linton Mayor Tom Jones explained, "I'm re-evaluating it. I have had some people come to me with some good ideas."
During the Linton City Council's March meeting, the grant application proposal for the renovation of the Conservation Club into a youth center died because of lack of a motion. But, several residents are still pushing the idea.
Jones explained that some of the ideas involve a new location for the proposed facility. Other ideas include building a facility instead of renovating the Conservation Club.
A "better location" with "more acreage" has recently been brought to the forefront by a local community member but Jones is unable to disclose the exact spot.
"People from all over the community are coming and giving ideas," Jones added. "I'm kind of optimistic about what will happen."
The latest proposal may be a no go but the future still holds hope for a similar project.
"It's not dead but we're not going to do it this round," Jones said. "I don't think we can do anything until June or July."
The mayor will soon talk with Greg Jones of Southern Indiana Development Commission on the matter.
"We'll maybe take some time and get it worked out better. I think there's some better ideas floating around," Jones added.
In a past interview with vice president of the Planning Commission LuAnn Kohler-Shonk explained, "The great news is that Linton can still apply (for the grant) in the very next round..."
The grant application is then submitted in July-- with the final application due September.
The grant monies will be awarded in November and distributed in Spring 2009.
The estimated cost of the renovation project at the Conservation Club was $561,935. A Community Focus Fund grant would have funded $457,115 and required a local match of $104,820. The local match would have been paid with $58,865 cash on hand and in-kind work-- which credits the city money for its employees working on the project.
Don't give up, Mayor Jones!! You have a community that is backing you and wanting your vision to be a reality. I am very optimistic about this because we have not given up and we won't stop until our goal is accomplished.
Its time this community stepped up and did something for our kids. They have been told on a constant basis they are not welcome in our park, they have had programs like the boys and girls club try to make a difference in out community only to close due to a lack of support. Its time we stepped up and welcomed our teens ... as this community ages wouldnt it be nice to send the message that we welcome kids and will do what needs to be done to keep them active healthy members of society. Perhaps then more of these kids would feel that this was once again a good place to raise their families and return to Linton after collage.
While still in favor of the conservation club as the best setting at this point in time, if there is indeed a better location with more acreage, it would certainly be worthy of serious consideration. In my mind, "acreage" is a key word here. Greene county is truly a beautiful area. I would much prefer to see this project come to be in a natural setting, and not over-developed, rather than another building surrounded by a parking lot and little else. Big thanks to Tom, the city council and the citizens who have put so much thought into this. It would be a sad thing not to get this grant.
I'm with you Tom and all others in support of the youth center. Make this dream a reality!
Let's get SOMETHING going!