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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09552RESOLUTION NO. 9552 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SPRING 2002 APPLICATIONS FOR STATE HISTORICAL FUND MONIES AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Pueblo Comprehensive Development Plan to preserve the archaeological, architectural, historical, and natural resources which contribute to the character, individuality, and cultural heritage of Pueblo; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, that: The City agrees to sponsor the applications for the D &RGW Freight Station Restoration, Phase IID and the Minnequa Works Office Complex. The City recommends the applications be forwarded to the Colorado Historical Society for consideration to receive monies from the State Historical Fund. The President of City Council is hereby authorized to execute sponsorship of the application on behalf of the City. ATTEST: INTRODUCED: MARCH 25, 2002 Patrick Avalos lOM APPROVED. COUNCIL PERSON PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL CITY CLERK kwo, - 1' 99s2_ Opp MLk) W I Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION AGENDA ITEM # 19 DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT /JIM MUNCH TITLE A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SPRING 2002 APPLICATIONS FOR STATE HISTORICAL FUND GRANT MONIES AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME ISSUE Should the City Council approve the sponsorship of the Spring 2002 State Historical Fund applications and authorize the President of City Council to execute the same? RECOMMENDATION Approval of Resolution BACKGROUND The Colorado Historical Society is accepting applications for the State Historical Fund grants program. The SHF is a state - funded program established by passage of the 1990 constitutional amendment for legalized gambling. 28% of tax revenues from gambling is paid to the SHF with 80% of the fund to be "used for historic preservation and restoration of historical sites and municipalities throughout the state..." Only public entities and non - profit organizations may make direct application for grants from the SHF. The non - profit applicants are required to demonstrate Municipal or County support by providing the signature of an authorized municipal or county representative. The following applications are being submitted to the SHF. The list does not represent a priority. and are as follows: 1) The D &RGW Freight Station Restoration - Applicant, Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center. Total project $46,000; and 2) The Minnequa Works Office complex - Applicant Bessemer Historical Society. Total project $755,000. See attached Organization Summary and Project Descriptions. FINANCIAL IMPACT No Financial Impact. Any improvements to the Freight Station, a City owned building, will be a benefit. MAR - 14 - 02 THU 6:09 PM HERITAGE CENTER, FAX N0, 719 295 0040 P. 2 SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO HERITAGE CENTER 201 West B stmt Pueblo CO 81003 (719) 295 -1517 l�� -BE March 15, 2002 Colorado Historical Society State Historical Fund 225 E. 10 Avenue, Suite 260 Denver, Colorado 80203 Greetings: Please accept the enclosed materials as application for funding by the State Historical Fund's general grant program. The grant request is for monies to restore a portion of the 1924 Denver and Rio Grande Western RR Freight Station in Pueblo. This city - owned building houses the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center, a nonprofit historical organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the heritage of the southeastern portion of the state. The D &RGW freight station has been designated on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. It was built in 1924 and is the only extant railroad freight station in Pueblo. Approximately one -third of the building has been restored and occupied by the Heritage Center. The remainder is currently undergoing a construction phase, partially funded by State Historical Fund monies that will provide an extension of utilities and the securing of doors and windows. It is within this latter part of the building that the historic lean-to structure and offices are located. The wooden lean -to is original to the building and will be restored to house the curatorial functions of the Heritage Center. The existing offices will also be restored for use by Heritage Center staff. The cash match of $16,000 comes from the Union Pacific Foundation. We are requesting $30,000 from the State Historical Fund. Please contact me if you need additional information. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ann Thompson Executive Director Original founding members.• Pueblo County HistoricalSociety; FrayAngl/ico Chdvez Chapter, Genea4gieal Sociery of HispanicAmerica; Pueblo Locomotive and RRail ffittorical Society; Pueblo Archaeological and Hisroric4l Socirty; Pueblo Sweet.Railway Foundation ORGANIZATION SUMMARY ORGANIZATION NAME: Bessemer Historical Society ADDRESS: P O Box 1894 (mailing) Pueblo CO 81002 1612 East Abriendo, Pueblo, CO 81004 EMPLOYER ID #: #31- 1714170 CONTACT PERSON: Maria Sanchez Executive Director PHONE: Office: # 719.561.6807 Fax: #719.561.699 E -mail: cfisteel @hotmail.com PROJECT TYPE: XX Acquisition and Development Education Survey and Planning NAME OF PROPERTY /PROJECT: Minnegua Works Office Complex PROJECT LOCATION: 1612 East Abriendo, Pueblo, CO 81004 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST: Bessemer Historical Society will acquire and begin rehabilitation of the 5.4 acre Minnequa Works Office Complex from Rocky Mountain Steel Mills for the purpose of establishing a museum and archive facility and for historic preservation purposes. The complex is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places. This Complex is also designated a Save America's Treasures Project. This is a long -term project with a projected budget of $10,000,000. This request focuses on the emergency stabilization and rehabilitation efforts needed in order to halt further deterioration of the historic structures. AMOUNT OF REQUEST: $ 208,000 Grant Request: $208,000 Cash Match: $547,000 Total: $755,000 Signature of Legally Authorized Representative Date Signature of nicipal or C iunty Authorized Representative Date Signature of Legal Owner Date J 1. APPLICANT INFORMATION Mission Bessemer Historical Society (BHS) was founded in the summer of 2000 as a 501 (c) (3) organization with a primary mission to provide permanent care for the archives and objects of the Colorado Fuel & Iron (CF &I) Steel Mill. BHS strives to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit the collections of the steel and mining industry, the Bessemer neighborhood, and the working families in the steel and mining industry in Pueblo and Colorado. To achieve the Society's mission, BHS will acquire the 5.4 acre Minnequa Works Office Complex. BHS purchased Phase I and Phase II of the complex from Rocky Mountain Steel Mills (RMSM) on March 22, 2002. The complex will be rehabilitated for use as a museum and archive facility, a western steel arts design center, and commercial office space. The mission - style Main Office Building and Office Building Annex, with its signature cupola visible from I- 25, are recognizable landmarks in Pueblo. History September 2000, RMSM agreed to transfer the CF &I archive collection to BHS, at no cost, based on two conditions: BHS will (1) appraise the collection; and (2) establish a permanent site to house the archives for research, cataloguing, and exhibition. It is the intent of BHS to make these artifacts available to the public for both scholarly and genealogical research in a western steel and mining museum in the CF &I Minnequa Works Office complex. The purchase of the Minnequa Works Office Complex will establish a permanent archival and museum site. CF &I in the early 1980's employed over 5,500 workers in Pueblo's Minnequa Plant, representing over 12% of all Pueblo jobs. This facility was the economic engine for the Bessemer neighborhood, the Pueblo community, and the Southern Colorado region. The downturn in the steel industry resulted in massive layoffs in the early 1980's. Pueblo experienced double digit unemployment, reaching a high of 19.7% in September 1982. The mill was sold to RMSM in 1993 and currently employs less than 300 people. The Pueblo economy has recovered with the economic boom in Colorado and permanent recognition of CF &I's historical contribution to Pueblo is essential. Described by The Pueblo Chieftain, as "one of the richest treasure troves of information on the history of Pueblo," the CF &I archival collection includes 21,000 cubic feet of maps, employee records, ledgers, films, photographs, land abstracts, mining documents, and labor relations records related to the CF &I Pueblo steel works, the Colorado and Wyoming Railroad, CF &I mines and towns, CF &I schools, hospitals, and company stores, and CF &I real estate in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Contained in eighteen (18) rooms within the Rocky Mountain Steel Mill (RMSM) offices, the archives trace the course of the CF &I corporation from its beginning in 1872 to 1993. The collection documents the steel mill's "golden age" as the largest employer in the West with over 20,000 employees working throughout a multi -state area. The collection includes documents on General William Palmer, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Charles Goodnight, Ludlow Massacre, and other notables. This collection will be available for examination and utilization by the public. Governed by a nine - member Board of Directors, BHS has a continuously growing membership of 400 individuals from around the country and strong support from the City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, and community leaders. Current Activities /Programs 1. Acquisiti and Rehabilitation of the CF &I Office Complex BHS will acquire 5.4 acres and the historic buildings of the old administrative headquarters of CF &I, located along 1 -25 in the Bessemer Neighborhood of central Pueblo. The mission -style office buildings are envisioned as the site of a future western steel and mining museum for archival and artifact storage and display. BHS and the City and County of Pueblo have raised (a_$1 4 million to purchase the Complex. An appraisal of $1,800,000 for the property and an exclusive option to purchase has been completed. The 5 Phase 5 -10 year plan estimates $10 million for rehabilitation of buildings for a museum, gift shop, park, steel art displays, restaurant, affordable housing, and other commercial enterprises which will support the neighborhood's revitalization and community development efforts. 2. Cataloqinq a nd Preserving the Archives Colorado Historical Society completed an initial inventory of the CF &I Archives and with funding provided by the Colorado Historic Fund, BHS hired The History Factory, a national consulting group with long- standing experience in corporate archival development and heritage management. They completed a plan for processing and cataloging the collection and utilizing the archives in research, displays and publications. Under the direction of Dr. Jonathon Rees, PhD., University of Southern Colorado (USC) history professor, college students, state historians, and trained volunteers are processing archives for BHS. RMSM has provided space and support for this on -going activity. An archivist will be hired in 2002 to complete the processing and cataloging of the collection 3. Administration /Operations Since inception, BHS Board of Directors and volunteers, as well as professional staff from the City of Pueblo and Pueblo County, have donated hundreds of hours of services related to planning, organizing, accounting, fund - raising, membership development, and volunteer recruitment. A Board driven campaign has been implemented, which is expected to raise acquisition and renovation funds as well as resources for continued processing of the archives. BHS hired a full -time Executive Director in August 2001 to oversee the project and day -to -day operations of the organization. Future staffing will include an archivist. Funding to support staff and operating costs is being sought through a combination of grant requests, membership fees, special fundraising events, and donated services. 2 Maior Accomplishments • Articles of Incorporation, April 14, 2000 • Memorandum of Understanding setting out the terms of transfer of the archives between RMSM and BHS, September 14, 2000 • BHS raised $1.1 million from the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the State of Colorado, the City and County of Pueblo, Thatcher Foundation, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Jackson Foundation for the purchase of the 5.4 acre Minnequa Works Office Complex • Initial inventory and appraisal of the archives by the History Factory through a $37,500 State Historical Fund Grant • Completed a plan for processing and cataloging the collection, and utilizing the archives in research, displays and publications • A collaborative partnership, Bessemer Neighborhood Partnership Team, was formed and is composed of representatives from BHS, Minnequa Redevelopment Corporation, Bessemer Neighborhood Association, and other Bessemer businesses, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and local and state government • The Colorado Department of Local Affairs designated the Bessemer Neighborhood Partnership Team a "pilot" project under its new Community and Neighborhood Development Office (CANDO) • An Executive Director for BHS was hired in August 2001 • Individual and family memberships have tripled over the past twelve months • Forty (40) volunteers work for the organization on tasks ranging from fundraising to administration • The National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the CF &I Office Complex and Archives as a "Save America's Treasurers" project. • Two BHS board retreats resulted in a strategic plan, work plan and budgets to establish an office, hire staff, manage a capital campaign, and carry out fundraising, marketing and educational activities • RMSM donated office space and telephone services to BHS • Archival research through the University of Southern Colorado History Department is being conducted • A development plan for acquisition, renovation and operations was completed by the BHS Grants /Capital Campaign Committee. • BHS brochures and donor packets were completed with assistance from Ballantyne Marketing and Advertising • The Bessemer Blast, a BHS bi- monthly newsletter is sent to members • A new BHS and CFI Archives website is under development at www.cfiisteel.org • In collaboration with Pueblo Community College, a 15- minute video presentation depicts the history of Pueblo's steel industry and the history of the South Pueblo and Bessemer neighborhoods • BHS and the Pueblo County Historical Society collaborated on a Pueblo historical homes tour and luncheon • Over the past twelve months, presentations to dozens of local groups have been provided by BHS Board members about the archives project. • Broad media coverage by The Pueblo Chieftain, Denver Post, and local television stations brought considerable attention to the archives project. Purpose of the Grant A. Description of the importance of the property As significant architectural buildings, these are the highest quality of Mission Revival style architecture at the geographical entrance to the great Southwest. Colorado Fuel and Iron, as a major industrial giant in the development of Colorado, the Rocky Mountain region, and the Southwest, created beautiful and functional company buildings as their signature architecture. These buildings are recognized for their cultural and geographical meaning in a semi -arid landscape through which the Arkansas River flows - -the historical boundary marker between Spain and U.S. territories and later between Mexico and the United States. The CF &I Minnequa Works Office Complex is significant for its Mission Revival -style architecture and its association with CF &I's Minnequa Steel Works. The signature building of the Complex is the 1901 Mission Revival -style Minnequa Office Building. This building, along with the Steel Works Dispensary, was designed by Frederick J. Sterner, a noted Denver architect. Frederick J. Sterner is most noted for his residential designs for many prominent Colorado families in Denver and Colorado Springs. This is the only known example of a Mission Revival -style commercial building designed by Sterner. Frank Taylor was selected as the contractor. The significance of hiring a noted architect was two -fold: 1. CF &I needed buildings to house the administrative and engineering operations of Minnequa Steel Works. 2. CF &I was building a company town and they wished to enhance the value of the adjoining residential and commercial land east of Minnequa Steel Works in Bessemer. The community development goal was reflected in a newspaper article. The Pueblo Daily Chieftain on Thursday, February 21, 1901 reported... "All of the structures will be constructed in the old Spanish mission - style, one of the most beautiful and conventional forms of architecture known." The Spanish revival -style architecture was popularized as a Western regional -style by the Santa Fe Railroad, which was also promoting migration and land development in California in 1900. It is not surprising that CF &I and the Santa Fe Railroad chose this architectural style for similar reasons. Due to its unique Mission Revival -style architecture and its visibility, the Minnequa Office Building is immediately recognizable as the architectural icon for the company. The social and economic history of the company is exhibited in the architectural development of the Complex. The history of the CF &I Steel Office Complex spans a 70 -year period beginning in 1901 and continuing to 1971. The Complex has evolved over time and this evolution is reflected in both changes in form /architecture and function /operation of the Complex. These evolutionary changes are generally associated with changes in ownership of the Mill and the resulting employment or operational changes made by the new ownership. These changes are reflected in the construction of additions or deletions /demolitions within the Complex. The first major addition to the Complex was the construction of the Annex to the Minnequa Office Building by noted Pueblo Architect William W. Stickney. Stickney is noted for his many revival -style buildings, including residential, commercial, and public buildings. A second addition enlarging the Annex Building was constructed in 1930. The plans for the addition were dated March 19, 1930, and were drawn by W.A. Rohl. The third and final addition to the Annex Building was constructed in 1945 -46, and the plans for this addition were again drawn 4 by W.A. Rohl. The construction of the Annex and its subsequent additions reflect the growing economic activity at the Mill. As the Mill grew and became more integrated, controlling all of its operations from mining and extraction of ore and coal, to handling transportation, water, milling, manufacturing, and sales operations, the need to house additional administration functions also grew. This integration is also reflected in the design and construction of the Annex additions. The 1921 addition was contracted out and the 1930 and 1945 additions were drawn internally. Each of the additions maintained the architectural integrity of the mission - style architecture. Also of interest is the succession of building technology exhibited in each subsequent addition to the Annex from 1920 - 1930 -1945. This evolution begins with masonry and wood posts with wood floors, to brick with concrete floors, to concrete floors with steel posts and trusses. Change in the social history of the company is reflected in the inclusion of a women's restroom facility in later additions. The 1920 Annex addition did not include a women's restroom, but the World War II era addition does, when many women were drawn into the work force. B. Goals and obiectives 1. Purchase Phase III Corporate Office Building. In order to build an archival processing and research facility. Long -range plans for the buildings include: (a) Development of a museum and archive facility for cataloguing, preserving, and exhibiting the history of the CF &I Steel Mill. Many of the 3` generation families who have worked in the mill still live in the Bessemer neighborhood. The Museum will be housed in the 30,379 sf Minnequa Works Office Building, built in 1901. The Archive processing will be housed in the Sales Office Building. (b) Development of a western steel arts design center, which will serve as an incubator for artists. This economic activity will create a working space for area artists, promote the integration of art with the steel industry, encourage artists to live within the Bessemer neighborhood, and attract additional visitors to the Complex and the area. The Office Annex building will be rehabilitated into a design center and office space (c) Development of commercial office space, which will include the offices of Rocky Mountain Steel Mill (RMSM), which has agreed to lease office space in the Complex. Office space is needed in the Bessemer neighborhood to diversify the economy of the area, as retail space is all that is currently available. The Annex will also house the commercial office space along with the Design Center. (d) The 1902 Steel Works Dispensary Building will be rehabilitated for use as a restaurant/gift shop. (e) Begin the process to save the Minnequa Works Office Complex, thus removing it from the list of Colorado's Most Endangered Places. Recognized as part of "America's vanishing industrial heritage'; these buildings were placed on the 1999 Colorado Preservation Inc.'s listing of historic places endangered or threatened by neglect, demolition, development, or misuse. BHS has raised $1.4 million to purchase the 5.4 acre Minnequa Works Office Complex. An option on the property has been obtained. RMSM has conducted an Appraisal determining the worth of the property at $1,800,000. The acquisition will provide BHS with ownership, thus allowing the organization to move forward with rehabilitation and preservation plans. 2. Stabilize the Minnequa Works Office Complex buildings in order to halt deterioration and damage which will alleviate the blighting influence on the surrounding neighborhood and offer a more secure environment for the fragile archival collection ebign stored throughout the building. The buildings within the Complex are deteriorating and are a target of increased vandalism. Stabilization will include: (a) repair to the outside of the building, including repair and replacement of deteriorated portions of the roof, the repair of windows, and the repair or replacement of doors. Water runoff on some portions of the roof is deteriorating roof and walls, primarily at the juncture of gable ends. The 100 year -old roof tiles are in excellent shape and will rarely require replacement. Broken windows allow birds and dirt into the building, also creating some interior damage. An architectural assessment of the entire property is being has been conducted by Preservation Partnership, through a grant from the City of Pueblo. This assessment includes a history and use study, architectural floor plans, recommendations for all work necessary to stabilize the structures and prevent loss of integrity or materials, a Phase I Environmental Analysis, and a review for compliance with applicable building and zoning codes, and cost estimates for work recommendations. A Phase II environmental Study was completed in January 2002. The conclusions stated that the project site had no major environmental concerns. A long -term goal and funding strategy has been developed to raise an additional $8 million for the rehabilitation and reuse of the entire CF &I Office complex. C. Public benefit of the work proposed The acquisition and stabilization of the Minnequa Works Office Complex will publicly recognize the most significant architectural representation of Pueblo's economic history, as well as Colorado's economic history. CF &I, as a national corporation and the largest steel producer west of the Mississippi not only owned the steel production, but also the iron ore and coal mines, the railroad, the coke ovens, blast furnaces, water and distribution systems, power generators, and mills. The company owned towns, stores, hospitals and the YMCA where employees lived and relaxed. At one time, CF &I was the largest single private landowner, the largest single employer, and the largest single tax payer in the State of Colorado. Famous names associated with CF &I include General Palmer, John C. Osgood, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. CF &I is associated with significant historical labor events, including the Ludlow Massacre. The development of the City of Pueblo, the working life of most Pueblo families, and the economic life of Pueblo's business community were directly or indirectly impacted by CF &I. Preservation and rehabilitation of this nationally significant architectural icon is undoubtedly the most significant preservation project in the City today. The Minnequa Works Office Complex is located within the Bessemer neighborhood. Bessemer was the company town owned by CF &I and named after a smelting process. As 7 this diverse (75% Hispanic and African - American) and less affluent area (31.6% at or below poverty) of the Pueblo community strives to revitalize its economy and improve the quality of life of the neighborhood, the CF &I preservation and archives project has become a focal point. Working with residents, neighborhood associations, human service and faith -based organizations, schools, city planners, and the business community, the CF &I Office Complex purchase and rehabilitation project is central to the success of these revitalization efforts. D. Timetable for implementation Goals Completion Phase I and II Acquisition March 2002 Stabilize the Minnequa Works Office Complex buildings June 2003 Phase III Acquisition November 2002 E. Other organizations participating The City and the County of Pueblo, Rocky Mountain Steel, Pueblo County Historical Society, the Pueblo Library District, the Colorado Historical Society, Bessemer Historical Society, Minnequa Redevelopment Corporation, and the Bessemer Neighborhood Association are collaborators in planning and orchestrating the purchase and rehabilitation of the Minnequa Works Office Complex in order to preserve the architectural integrity of these buildings and to create a museum for archival preservation of CF &I history. This project reaches beyond the goals of preserving the CF &I buildings, archives and history of the Bessemer area. Along with BHS, several grassroots organizations have united to revitalize the Bessemer neighborhood, which is in close proximity to the historic CF &I property. The newly formed Bessemer Neighborhood Partnership Team, composed of representatives from BHS, the Minnequa Redevelopment Corporation, the Bessemer Neighborhood Association, businesses, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and local and state government, seeks to improve the infrastructure, safety, and quality of life for 7,000 residents, many of whom have low and moderate incomes and are elderly. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs officially designated this partnership initiative as a "pilot" project under its new Community and Neighborhood Development Office (CANDO), which is expected to bring additional resources to the area. BHS's CF &I rehabilitation and archives project, in conjunction with the Bessemer Neighborhood Partnership Team, are creating community development projects related to economic development, affordable housing, parks and recreation, arts and cultural events, child care, youth programs, community safety and crime prevention, historic preservation, tourism, street and sidewalk improvements, and trash and graffiti removal. The purchase and rehabilitation of the Minnequa Works Office Building and Annex will play an important role in meeting the overall neighborhood goals for economic revitalization and increased self - sufficiency. MAR - 14 - 02 THU 6:10 PM HERITAGE CENTER FAX N0, 719 295 0040 P. 3 ORGANIZATION SUMMARY ORGANIZATION NAME: Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center ADDRESS: 201 West B Street, Pueblo, Colorado 81003 EMPLOYER ID * 84- 1413740 CONTACT PERSON (Name) Ann Thompson Executive Director (Tile) PHONE: Office 719- •295 -1517 Fax 719- 285-0040 E- Maul_i nfo@se- Colorado- hedtage.or PROJECT TYPE: x Acquisition and Development ❑ Education 0 Survey and Planning NAME OF PROPERTY /PROJECT: Denver and Rio Grande Western RR Freight Station PROJECT LOCATION: 201 West B Street, Pueblo, Colorado BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST: Restoration of DBRGW Freight Station The requested funds will help restore the original office areas of the freight station, which was built in 1924. This building is occupied by the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center, a nonprofit organization restoration will provide office and curatorial space for the Heritage Center, AMOUNT OF REQUEST: $30,000 Grant Request: 230,000 Cash Match: $16,000 Total: Signature of Legally Authorised Representative Signature of Municipal or County Authorized Representative Date Date 0 I MAR -14 - 02 THU 6 :10 PM HERITAGE CENTER FAX N0, 719 295 0040 P, 4 Union Pacific Foundation o1cK DAVIDSON Chairman P06ERT W TURNER President February 1, 2002 Ms. Ann Thompson, Executive Director Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center 217 West B Street Pueblo, CO 81003 Dear Ms, Thompson: IKE EVANS. President Union Pacific Railroad JACK KORALESKI, EVP- MktWSalss Union Pacric Railroad CARL W. VON BERNUTH, SVP- General Counsol Union Pacific, Corporation I am very pleased to formally advise you that the Union Pacific Foundation Board has approved a grant in the amount of $16,000.00 to the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center for 2002, to support the freight station restoration project. A representative from Union Pacific will contact you during the month of April to arrange for delivery of the check. Union Pacific has a long - standing commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve and where our employees live and work. Our vision Is that Union Pacific employees will take pride in their company's civic leadership and that our customers and shareholders will appreciate and recognize Union Pacific as an excellent corporate citizen. We are proud to support the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center and extend our best wishes for continued success. Sincerely, '& ' cc: Dick Hartman 141E Aodga 81111141. Room 802, 0m31%0, NE 68TIS • 402 271.5600 • Fox 402.27+ -5477 C. Narrative A brief history of the SCHC The Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center is a nonprofit historical organization incorporated in 1997. It began as a grass roots effort to preserve, protect and interpret items of historical importance and thus provide educational opportunities to a targeted sixteen county area in southeastern Colorado. The SCHC also serves as a central network for several historical organizations in the area. The founding member organizations of the SCHC are the Pueblo County Historical Society, the Pueblo Locomotive and Rail Historical Society, the Pueblo Archaeological and Historical Society, the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America, and the Pueblo Street Railway Foundation. This unique collaboration has brought varied resources and talents to the organization. The SCHC is located in the restored 1924 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad freight station in the Union Avenue Historic District of Pueblo. The Heritage Center opened its first exhibit gallery in December of 2001, which features Native American artifacts, early saddles, and artifacts that interpret the importance of pioneer railroads to the area. In addition, a western research library, currently operated by the Pueblo County Historical Society, will be relocated to the Heritage Center. Our accomplishments The SCHC is a relatively new organization, having just taken occupation of its facility in March of 2001. We have placed educational programming at the top of our priorities list and our mission. We intend to cater to the usual school groups and adult population, but also will target high school students, students at risk of failing, and students from low economic backgrounds. We hope to work with organizations within Pueblo and surrounding areas that already have after school programs by providing our unique historical collections as a teaching resource and by providing opportunities to youth for public service. We are located in Pueblo, also the home of the El Pueblo Museum that is operated by the Colorado State Historical Society. In creating our mission we wanted to clearly identify the areas in which we differ distinctly from their mission and operations. In so doing, it was determined that our collections and programming would reflect a larger time period and would be representative of a larger, diverse population dating from prehistoric to current times. It was also concluded that the Heritage Center could serve as a community gathering place for lectures, classes, after school programs, university internships, and teacher training. This role was stressed as being an important asset to the community. The Heritage Center also solicits associate historical organizations to become members. Our goal is to provide professional training workshops for small museums in our target area, provide a venue for temporary exhibits, and to serve as a networking organization to help disperse information and support to other heritage -based groups. No other organization in southeastern Colorado provides these services. We anticipate having over four thousand individuals visit the Heritage Center in 2002, our first full year of operation. Our quarterly newsletter is issued to approximately three hundred individuals. This region has a richly diverse population. Many people have lived in the area and their traditions and cultures are still present. Our programs focus on this diversity, on the heritage we all enjoy. We are aware that education and knowledge about who we are as a people can help us to avoid intolerance and conflict. We are especially aware of targeting those individuals who are not traditional museum visitors. Through our programming, we hope to establish the Heritage Center as a true community center, one that is reflective of all the people of the region. Programs will complement our historical collections and will focus on the concept of heritage. All ages are targeted for programming and will include craft classes, lectures, storytelling, and a folk festival. Focus groups are planned as a method to involve all segments of our community in determining what our heritage truly is and how we can best interpret that heritage. This "front end" evaluation will help us to know what is important to the community rather than having only our preconceived ideas drive our programming. Evaluation forms will be available for museum visitors and attendees of our public programs. Educational programs for schools will be tailored to augment standards that have been adopted by the local school districts. Purpose of the Grant The grant request seeks to restore an historic structure within the the 1924 Denver and Rio Grande Western RR Freight Station building and renovate two existing office spaces and a lobby. The structure is a lean -to within the interior of the building once used as the office operations for the freight station. This lean -to is original to the building. It is a 215 square foot wooden structure that will be used as a curatorial space for our museum collections. The existing office spaces will be renovated for use by the Heritage Center staff. We are requesting $30,000 from the State Historical Fund with a match of $16,000 from the Union Pacific Foundation for a total of $46,000 budget for the following work: Scope of Work ■ Removal of furnace ■ Removal of hot water heater ■ Removal of newer built -in- shelves ■ Restoration of two original windows ■ Removal of the original pneumatic generator on roof of lean -to ■ Repair of ceiling, floor and walls ■ Restoration of doors with new locks ■ General cleaning ■ Painting ■ Renovation of electrical ■ Renovation/Remodel interior office space and lobby Benefit to the public The curatorial space will allow the Heritage Center to accept donations of artifacts to its collections and provide professional care. Donations will be cleaned, cataloged and prepared for exhibition or storage. This is an integral part of our mission. Since the opening of our first exhibit gallery on December 14"', 2001, we have had 500 museum visitors. Timetable The work will begin following the completion of the current restoration phase under contract with the State Historical Fund #99 -P2 -010 that is restoring and stabilizing the portion of the building in which the lean -to is located. The existing construction contract with the City is scheduled for completion in August 2002. The proposed project would begin at that point and be completed by December 2002. Project Budget Item Description Grant request Match Proiect Total Professional services 4,200 4,200 Restoration work 20,800 16,000 36,800 Project administration 1,000 1,000 Contingency 4.000 4.000 Totals 30,000 16,000 46,000