The Iola Senior Citizen Thrift Store got the go-ahead from county commissioners for their plans to add a building.
Representatives of the thrift store’s board have been working with commissioners on a plan to enlarge the shopping area.
At one point, the board asked the county to pay for an expansion and remodel, as the property is owned by the county. That didn’t happen, so the board saved proceeds from its thrift store sales to build a metal structure.
The property is in a flood plain, which won’t allow them to connect the buildings. Instead, they’ll place the new structure near the old one with a walkway between them. A retractable awning can protect shoppers as they pass between the two.
Commissioners also asked them to reconsider the location of the new building, because their preferred site would have required the county to cut down a large, old tree.
Instead, the board will build a smaller facility — 30-feet by 40-feet — and keep the tree. They’ll also keep two sheds for storage.
Board members Dimity Lowell and Joyce Adair presented commissioners with three options for where to place the building.
Commissioners said they were fine with any of the locations, and advised the board to continue to work with county staff as they move forward. The county will build a gravel pad for the building as an in-kind contribution.
“I’m really grateful for your work and humbled you are taking this on yourself,” Commissioner Bruce Symes said.
IN OTHER news, commissioners:
• Learned Shannon Patterson’s nomination to serve as the county clerk was approved. She’ll take over on Oct. 1, after longtime clerk Sherrie Riebel retires.
• Discussed the need to purchase new mowing equipment, and new decks for the mowers in particular, with Road and Bridge Supervisor Mark Griffith.
• Approved a request by Thrive Allen County to give that organization $7,000 in transportation funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Thrive is taking over the general transportation program after commissioners decided they no longer wanted to fund it, but the group will need help paying the match for a state-funded grant.
• Heard from a group of landowners concerned about the location of a high-voltage electric transmission line project from Wolf Creek to Missouri. More details will be in Saturday’s Register.
