There has been a lot of discussion lately about the continued progress in improvements at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center; that – and an urgent matter – has led residents to wonder when it will be Shawnee’s Pottawatomie County Historical Society Museum’s turn.
A half-cent sales tax hike passed by the electorate aimed at securing $ 30 million for a long list of capital improvements has been raising US dollars since October 2018. These funds, which are to be raised for 10 years, were specifically for public safety, roads and parks, and public facilities and can only be spent on capital improvements – including $ 400,000 on a roof and remodel at the Santa Fe depot.
In addition to the museum project, the list of capital improvements also includes major upgrades to other ongoing projects – such as the new police headquarters building and expo expansions – as well as parks, the redesign of two fire stations, major road improvements and more sidewalks and paths, and renovations to the senior citizens’ center, the Library and community center.
But while the Santa Fe Depot continues to wait for the long-planned rooftop project to begin, museum director Ken Landry said the 118-year-old downtown icon will be damaged by leaks in the rain.
This week, Landry and Museum Board President Mark Schneiter reached out to Shawnee town commissioners during their Monday meeting to re-alert them of the plan.
Schneiter first thanked the city administration for their decades of support for the museum and for improvements made in the past.
“We want to work with the city on the renovation,” he said. “We thought if there was any restoration aid or something that we could apply for the city – it might be easiest for us to get a grant for a renovation than the city, then we can give the city the money for the money so that we can achieve more. “
He said it was three years ago when taxpayers approved the plan.
“It’s getting worse and worse, everyone knows,” he said.
Landry repeated Schneiter’s comments.
“I want to encourage you to move on, I know you started the process and I am aware that it will likely cost a little more than it originally did,” he said. “This is the age we live in with COVID.”
He said two years ago there was a roof estimate of $ 180,000.
“I’m sure that was long over and it will cost more,” Landry said. “But I encourage you to go forward.”
Commissioners said the project was progressing – admittedly slowly – even though no one shared details of what exactly caused the delay.
Ward 6 Shawnee City commissioner Ben Salter said the commission is aware of the problem and is working on it.
“We’ll get there one day,” he said.
Ward 5 Shawnee City commissioner Mark Sehorn said he learned from the government that it is slow.
“It’s getting me down,” he said.
Ward 3 Shawnee City Commissioner Travis Flood said, “I know three years is a long wait; Please be patient, we will make some movement. “
He said it seems like too long ago, but some things are still to come.
Cami Engles, commissioner for Ward 2, Shawnee City, said she was up to date and will be an ally for the museum.
“It’s my priority,” she said, adding that she understood her frustration.
District 1 Shawnee City Commissioner Daniel Matthews said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer has some work in hand on the issue.
Mayor Ed Bolt said the depot was definitely on his radar.
“We look forward to achieving something there,” he said.
The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1903-1904 and operated as a train depot until 1973. It currently houses the Pottawatomie County Historical Society Museum, which contains many artifacts and information about the history of Pottawatomie County.
Watch for updates.
For story ideas, questions or concerns, the reporter Vicky O. Misa can be reached at [email protected].
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