By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Great Bend's downtown continues to benefit from various programs aimed at renovating old buildings. In August, it was announced that the Landing Restaurant and Outdoor Gathering Place had received nearly $44,000 from the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL), a program from the Kansas Department of Commerce. Mark and Andy Mingenback attended Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting to discuss delays with facade improvements as part of the county's renovation program.
"I want to say thank you for the fact that you established this program," Mark said. "This program, along with the relationships you've developed with the Great Bend City Council, Economic Development, and the county, it's impressive that I see everyone working together now. The synergy that is being created because of these different bodies working together is very significant."
Mingenback also gave credit to the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, and Commissioner Kirby Krier gave credit to Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson for his role in the Facade Improvement Grant program that provides grants for up to 75 percent of renovation costs for eligible buildings, with a maximum award of $20,000.
The Mingenbacks provided updates and asked for an extension on their renovations at 2105 Forest Avenue in Great Bend, and said they will likely apply for another grant at the neighboring 2107 Forest Avenue property next year. Eco Devo Director Sara Hayden put the pair in touch with Robert McLaughlin, the state historical architect. The property was built in 1922, and McLaughlin's new design will give it a historically-accurate appearance.
Delays have come with the new designs, tax credits associated with historic buildings, and finding historically accurate windows for the property. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the renovation deadline to June 30, 2023.
Andy Mingenback discussed the future of the corner of Williams and Forest Avenue, which will soon include the new walls on the office of Dr. Sam Beugelsdijk's building, space for food trucks, lofts, and move-in ready space at the 2105 Forest location.
"We're going to have a vanilla shell space there that could accommodate a restaurant, which is ideally what we'd like to have in there," he said. "Our intent is not to own a restaurant, but to have a space available for someone to lease as a restaurant or an event space."
The commission also voted 5-0 to approve a facade improvement extension for Chelsea Properties LLC at 1401 Main Street to June 30, 2023.