HUMBOLDT — The downtown action team here announced it is nearing the halfway mark toward its goal of raising $50,000 to restore and refurbish the town square.
Breaking the news at a press conference at Stacy Cakes Monday morning, Humboldt Downtown Action Team’s Larry Tucker said with $13,000 in gifts and donations raised privately so far, a $15,000 challenge grant recently acquired from B&W Trailer Hitches has pushed the community action group’s revenues to $23,000. Because B&W will match, dollar-for-dollar, the next $15,000 in donations, HumDAT is well on its way to reaching its goal of $50,000.
The $50,000 will serve as a community match for a $400,000 Kansas Department of Transportation grant the team plans to pursue.
In the meantime, the funds are being put to good use, Tucker said.
With plans to start this weekend, HumDAT will begin restoration work on the square’s bandstand, which was built in 1907.
In February, the Humboldt City Council gave the team approval to replace the bandstand flooring and make other needed repairs.
Volunteers will paint the railing around the bandstand platform and on the steps, followed by replacing the floor of the platform.
Volunteers will work on Saturdays until the project is complete.
Josh Coykendall has volunteered to replace the electric service to the structure, as well as oversee the construction aspect of the project.
The Downtown Action Team plans to order new light fixtures for both the ceiling of the bandstand and for added lighting to be placed outside the bandstand area beneath the ceiling overhang. The lights will be affixed to a timer for lighting after dark.
The color scheme will return to what the bandstand was years ago, black and white.
Plaques will be placed in a small pagoda at the northwest corner of the square to recognize people who have made notable contributions to the bandstand’s upgrade.
So far, $4,150 has been pledged for the bandstand facelift with an estimated cost to date of $3,698.
“The city will not have to pay a dollar for this project,” Tucker said, referring to the generosity of the community.
Other plans on the docket for HumDAT are repairing and replacing portions of the sidewalks on the square and completely remodeling the sidewalk on the west edge of the square with a brick walkway.
Residents interested in any HumDAT project are encouraged to contact a member for more information. Members include Larry Tucker, Paul Finney, Jan Coykendall and Eileen Robertson.
