SUMMARY
OF COMMENTS FROM NOVEMBER 26 BOONSLICK OUTDOOR ARTS PROJECT
PARTICIPANTS
Ss. Peter & Paul Church Meeting Room, BOONVILLE
ATTENDEES:
Peggy Guest, Marg Jackson,
Julia Clay, Libby Ritter, Myrna Ragar, Gary Nauman, Bob Dyer, Art Schneider.
COMMENTS:
1) Cecil Cliburn,
coordinator of community planning assistance, discussed the Neighborhood
assistance Program. There will be $13 million available this year. It has become
more competitive with 50% to 65% being funded---from 80% to 65% a few years ago.
Feb. 15 is the deadline for applications. if approved, any collection after July
1 eligible.
He noted that programs designed for revitalization, beautification and attracting or starting new businesses go to the top of the list.
Downtown revitalization is especially high. He said in Cuba, Mo., there are plans to renovate a building that used NAP.
He cited Blackwater as very successful. It does not have a great sate tax liability for its businesses. What the community did was follow up with its school graduates who lived around the state and contacted those who had businesses to contribute. Many long term residents probably know people whom have successful businesses and are from Boonville.
He looked at a proposed mission statement fore the effort and said it looked very good. He will send us the narrative Blackwater used to help in putting a proposal together.
NAP funding cannot be used to fund festivals.
Funding can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.
We are scheduled to receive a packet when they become available in about a month.
Mentioned--and confirmed today--that the Friends of Historic Boonville have approved providing their 501(c)3 for the project.
2) Mission statement: A proposed mission statement for this project was discussed and revised. Here is the consensus mission statement:
BOONSLICK OUTDOOR ARTS PROJECT
Mission: This is a long-term initiative to create outdoor art that is a source of pride to local citizens, develop an artistic corridor to help interpret the history of the area, bring together varied segments of the community to achieve a common objective, create a major aesthetic environment that enhances the area’s appearance, and add attractions that draw new businesses and lengthen the stay of tourists who come to the Boonslick area.
3) First outdoor arts project....There was much discussion on this.
Some efforts need to be directed toward maintaining the old advertising murals downtown. Bull Durham near Kopy Katz, and signs on the Shyrack-Given Building, and the McReynolds Building were noted. Participants did not want to see the original signs repainted ("looks too new" and discussed rehabilitating what exists. This will require further investigation.
Statue and/or bas relief plaques. There was a shift from initial discussion of a Daniel Boone statue or of Lewis, Clark, York and Seaman the dog. My understanding is that the governor's office will announce or has announced that a commission has been granted for such a sculpture in Jefferson city with the unveiling to be in June 2004--just two or thee days before the re-enactment comes to Boonville.
After much discussion, the weight of consensus went toward a statue of Hannah Cole. While not nearly as well known as Boone, her ties to the community, the founding of a town by a women (is this the only town in Missouri that can claim that accolade?), and her family ties that include relatives for whom Cole Camp and Cole County are named led to the idea that she would be the best first selection. Boone could be added later, perhaps next to the Boonslick Bridge.
Some suggestions for community involvement in this process--since we do not have a picture of Hannah Cole--is that the community could vote on the type of pose and also the community could vote for the model to be used for Hannah Cole.
Also discussed and very exciting were the following suggestions by Bob Dyer:
A) the walkway in the park be curved to symbolize the Missouri river.
B) the addition of a six-foot wide walkway at the back of the park--alongside the wall next to the Palace Restaurant-- to be designed as a timeline--similar to two years ago with the chalked lines in front of city hall (Perhaps brass letters in concrete?) that visitors could follow.
C) Along the timeline would be a Wall of Fame to recognize the accomplishments of Boonville citizens. Bob Dyer has agreed to develop a list. Peggy Guest is developing a concept drawing to show how the area would look. We hope to have that reedy by next week. This would be bust and/or bas relief plaques.
The next meeting will be in January.
In the meantime, we will keep you updated.
Art Schneider
Next Meeting: 7 p.m. January 9, 2003, Ss. Peter & Paul Church Office meeting room.