PROGRAM
PARTNERSHIP
July 16 and 17 , 2016
The Moore ’ s Block building sits vacant on the 300 block of Commercial St .
PROGRAM
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was pointed out to us , we had a professional structural engineer look at it . He went through the entire building and found major issues . The owner thought he could put some cosmetics on it but it has real structural issues . Plus , when we got into the building , there were some electrical issues and other issues .”
Witt said at that point , the building had become a safety issue .
“ It is a real safety concern to the other buildings around it ,” he said . “ There has also been some other buildings that have been brought to our attention that we will need to look at in the near future . The owners will need to do something because of the impact on the adjacent buildings .”
With this type of safety concern , Witt said demolition was inevitable , which was an unfortunate situation for the owner because of the financial situation .
“ We are very sensitive to the fact that it costs a lot of money to repair these buildings ,” he said . “ Some of the owners just don ’ t have the money . If we determine it could take six months to repair and it would take the owners a year to complete , we would be OK with that . If they were making progress , we would work with them .
“ If they would continue , though , to let it slip and not do anything about it , we would have a problem and would be required to take action . I wish I could tell you we could go in there and renovate it and get our money back , but we ’ re not going to be able to do that given the current condition of the building .”
The decision has been made to plan for the removal of the structure . Witt said no firm date has been confirmed yet , but he thought it would be in the fall .
Incentives
In efforts to aid in downtown revitalization , Witt said the city does have some incentives available .
“ Let ’ s say somebody wanted to come in and buy up half a block downtown and put up a big call center that would employ 100 to 200 people ,” he said . “ The city could possibly step up with some incentives , but we don ’ t do that on a normal basis . There are federal funds which are run through the state of Kansas that could be available , but these are on a case-by-case basis . We would gladly help maybe a call center or a medical records company that wanted to establish a business here . We would look for every way to help them get started . We don ’ t have specific money set aside in a fund for this though .”
For new businesses wanting to locate in downtown Emporia , there are loan programs for renovations to downtown buildings , available through Emporia Main Street .
Main Street executive director Casey Woods said the three programs utilized most often are : Incentive Without Walls , Trusler Business Loan Program and the Lyon County E Community Program .
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MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
“ The programs are fairly similar in that there are no fees and are 0-interest loans ,” Woods said . “ They do require that the potential business be working with a financial institution . They are not meant to replace a bank , but they do put the bank in a better position to make a loan . Main Street is generally the secondary or the tertiary lender . Each of those loans has different geographies that they can cover .”
Woods said the Incentive Without Walls Program is specific to the downtown area , while the Lyon County E Program covers Lyon County . The programs are meant to aid in business development or they can be used for building rehabilitation .
“ Beyond those programs , we will work with property owners on several other programs that aren ’ t maybe Main Street programs where we will work with other partner agencies to access them ,” Woods said . “ So , capital multiplier loan funds , historic tax credits , USDA Grants or loan guarantees — there is a lot out there for those who are doing the right things . You ’ ve got to be willing to make your own investment . Nobody is going to give you a blank check for you to spend on your building if you aren ’ t willing to invest in your own building .”
One such success story that Main Street helped establish was Rolling Hills Bar and Grill in Americus .
“ In managing the Lyon County E Community Fund , we helped with the funding for that particular business ,” Woods said . “ We still assisted with that even though it was in Lyon County .”
PARTNERSHIP
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matizing . It has been a long journey .”
For years , Holub participated in a number of different therapies to re-learn daily skills that most take for granted . Walking , dressing , planning outings , tying shoes and riding a bike were all skills Holub had to relearn . He did so by maintaining a consistent routine .
A little more than two years ago , Holub met a dog breeder that had a tiny miniature schnauzer — much smaller than breed standards recommend . The small dog was slated to be put down when Holub claimed her . He named her Tinker Toy and their relationship has sustained Holub through many rough days .
“ She is kind of a moodbalancer ,” Holub said . “ I have PTSD and depression and I struggle at times . I get pretty overwhelmed at times . She is a good tell-tale when I ’ m in trouble or when I ’ m struggling . She kind of looks at me and looks a little bit more concerned , which makes me realize what is going on . She respects me and I respect her .”
Tinker Toy has been trained entirely by Holub . She has never been on a leash , yet never strays from his side as he rides his bike through Emporia . When she tires from walking , Holub places her inside his messenger bag and continues his ride .
Holub and Tinker Toy have a regular schedule of destinations they visit almost daily . The structured routine continues to help Holub as it did following his stroke .
“ I ’ m on my bike most of the day ,” Holub said . “ She is known at Spangles and Mc- Donald ’ s . We go through the drive through at McDonald ’ s every day and I get my water and she gets her water . Everyone calls me more timely than the mailman . It is all about consistency .”
The consistent routine serves as an accountability tool , according to Holub .
“ They expect to see me and I expect to see them ,” he said . “ We are helping each other out . We are holding each other accountable . I ’ m
John K . Newland , AAMS ® Financial Advisor
935 Industrial Road P . O . Box 1105 Emporia , KS 66801 620-342-2562
Jon Geitz , AAMS ® Financial Advisor
1601 West 6th Ave , Ste B Emporia , KS 66801 620-343-2388
not one that dwells on what I ’ ve lost but I focus on what I have . I have those people in the community looking forward to seeing me and ( have ) my water ready at McDonald ’ s . I have places to be , I have church on Sundays , I have Tink .”
Respecting business owners is important to Holub . He always asks before bringing Tinker Toy inside with him . He said the majority of people are welcoming to the dog and appreciate how wellbehaved she is .
“ I am respectful about it ,” Holub said . “ I will not argue if someone says something about it or speaks badly of it . She is respectful , I ’ m respectful , so with a lot of business owners that is just where it stands .”
Living independently is something Holub was unsure would ever happen for him . Following his stroke , he spent time in rehabilitation centers and group homes . The “ simple success ” he has found in life is satisfying and sustains him .
“ Simple success is what I have today ,” Holub said . “ I ’ m not going out and climbing mountains or going out and riding in the DK 200 every year . But I am successfully making it through my day on my own .”
Rain or shine — 365 days a year — Holub and Tinker Toy explore Emporia on his bike .
“ Rain , snow , heat — 365 days a year we are out and about ,” Holub said . “ We get honks and waves and I always smile and give a thumbs up back . It makes me happy knowing people are happy to see us .”
Greg Seibel , AAMS ® Financial Advisor
526 Commercial Emporia , KS 66801 620-343-2371
MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
Part of this older building on 5th Avenue received a face lift recently . The portion that is home to Street Tax Service , 15 W . 5th , was recently repaired and repainted .
MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
For new businesses wanting to locate in downtown Emporia , there are loan programs for renovations to downtown buildings , available through Emporia Main Street .
LEGALS
SUDOKU SOLUTION
( Published in The Emporia Gazette July 16 , 2016 ) NOTICE OF TOUCH SCREEN TEST In compliance with the provisions of K . S . A . 25-4610 , notice is hereby given that the County Election Officer of Lyon County , Kansas , shall have the touch screens tested on Thursday , July 28 , 2016 at 9:00 a . m . in
the County Clerk ’ s Office on the 1st floor of the Lyon County Courthouse , 430 Commercial Street , Emporia , Kansas , and will continue until said test is completed . The equipment will be tested to ascertain that it will correctly count the votes cast at the Lyon County Primary Election , August 2 , 2016 . The test shall be open to the representatives of the political parties , the press , and the public . In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of July , 2016 . Tammy Vopat Lyon County Clerk / Election Officer ( Sat .) 7-16