BY ANDY TAYLOR
chronicle@taylornews.org
Cherryvale Chamber of Commerce members learned of a variety of projects now underway by the City of Cherryvale during the chamber’s annual membership banquet on Monday.
Held in the Kansas Army National Guard Armory, the membership banquet was attended by about 40 persons, some of whom enjoyed rounds of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker at the conclusion of the banquet. The banquet was geared around a poker theme.
City administrator Greg McDanel updated the chamber on several city projects, including:
• a Revolving Loan Fund that can be used to assist local businesses with expansion or start-up capital for new businesses. The loans can be made up to $25,000 and be used for a variety of purposes, including building repairs or expansion, property acquisition, start-up expenses, machinery and equipment purchases and more. Loan recipients will repay the loan at a low rate — from 0 to 2 percent below prime. The repaid money, with interest, will then be used for other qualifying businesses in Cherryvale.
• an environmental assessment program that will examine local contaminated or polluted properties for their redevelopment potential. McDanel said several core areas of Cherryvale, including the railroad corridor, Liberty Street, and near the former Edgar Zinc Smelting Company site, have been shown to exhibit either pollution or have a background in which industrial or petroleum waste had been exposed. The Environmental Protection Agency will use its funds to evaluate the properties, determine if any can be redeveloped for commercial purposes, and then offer a plan to clean up any contaminants or contaminated debris.
“One council member said the environmental assessments ‘are like taking your property to the doctor’,” McDanel said.
• plans for a new housing subdivision called Park West that, when completed, will develop 23 new lots for single-family funds. On a related note, McDanel said the City of Cherryvale has qualified for a housing rehabilitation program for low- to moderate-income persons (two rehab projects are currently underway).
• ownership of the Kansas Army National Guard Armory, which was given to the City of Cherryvale after the Kansas Adjutant General decided to close 18 armories in Kansas. McDanel said the city council wants to see the armory converted into a mixed-use facility, involving recreational opportunities and a community center.
“By the time the chamber holds its membership banquet here in 2011, this facility will look much different,” McDanel said.
• plans for the construction of a new municipal pool complex are being developed.
• plans by Watco, Inc., to move its railroad switching yard from the downtown business district to an area about three miles north of Cherryvale and southeast of the U.S. 400/169 junction.
• plans by the Cherryvale Planning and Zoning Commission to update the city’s comprehensive plan, which has not been updated since 1979.
• an ongoing water line replacement project that will replace several critical water line areas in the community and replace many water meters.
• plans to upgrade Main Street, from Liberty Street east to Montgomery Street, with a new coat of asphalt after the water line replacement project is completed.
McDanel said he was excited about a Main Street Committee of the Cherryvale Chamber of Commerce that is studying possible beautification and upgrades of the downtown business district.
“The year 2010 has the opportunity to be a significant year toward improving our Main Street. These improvements will take commitment and investment from the City of Cherryvale, the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and all citizens who feel it is important to take pride in our downtown area,” said McDanel.
McDanel concluded his address by urging residents to get involved in the plans and projects that are geared toward improving the community.
“I believe Cherryvale is at a tipping point,” said McDanel. “What must underlie successful positive epidemics in the end is a bedrock belief that change is possible, that people can radically transform their beliefs and behaviors in the face of adversity. During this recession, businesses and residents have certainly been affected but have generally weathered the storm. It is time for each one of us personally take pride in our residences, businesses and our community. We are powerfully influenced by our surroundings, our immediate context, and the personalities and actions of those around us. Through personal ownership, community volunteerism, support of education and training, successful city projects, and reinvestment funding, I believe this community can continue to ‘tip’ in a positive direction.”
Also at Monday’s chamber banquet, several local firms and individuals were recognized for their efforts. The chamber recognized the Cherryvale Food Bank as the non-profit organization of the year. The food bank was relocated to the Cherryvale Public Library in 2009 and had experienced an increase not only in food recipients but also in the volume of contributions and volunteers. Bill Ott of the Cherryvale Food Bank board of directors accepted the honor on behalf of the organization.
Jerry Tuggle of Cherryvale was recognized as the volunteer of the year for his photographic skills. Tuggle has become known for photographing numerous community events, including recreational games, sports events, parades, and more.
G&W Foods was recognized as the business of the year for its many civic-minded efforts, including food contributions and donations of a portion of its grocery receipts to the Lincoln-Central Elementary School Parent-Teacher Council.
Megan Menzer, chamber president, presented a gift to Tina Cunningham, who serves as the volunteer director of the organization.
Cunningham said the chamber was developing a new business directory for visitors, and the chamber also was making plans for the 2010 Cherry Blossom Festival in May.
