[Vision2020] 1912 Building

[Bill London]

    A recent article in the Daily News indicated the Moscow City Council
is looking for a way to unload responsibility for the 1912 Building.
Maybe the council is ready to look at new and creative ways to make that
project come to life.
    In their frustration, I hope they do not kill the project instead.
The vision of a real community center is a good one, and besides we
should remember that our community has a responsibility to the generous
anonymous donor who supplied more than $2 million for the renovation
project.  The city accepted the money and should follow through.
    I hope the council has learned that handing large piles of money to
consultants and professional fundraisers is a waste.  If it wasn't
obvious at the start, it sure is now.
    Maybe the council is ready to look in an innovative direction.  How
about to the use of sweat equity to complete the project?
    Sweat equity means that individuals or groups wanting to benefit
from the project would help build it, using their own labor (sweat) and
materials.  That is the way Habitat for Humanity and other organizations
get their work done.
    The two top floors of the 1912 Building need to be renovated and
filled.  There are non-profit community organizations of various kinds
in Moscow that need a home.  Each one of those organizations has members
or volunteers who could (under the direction of their own skilled
people, as well as the supervision of Randy Rice and the city staff) do
the necessary work.
    When organizations and individuals work on a project they develop
feelings of ownership.  They support the project--and thus would use and
appreciate the building.  It builds not only the building itself, but
also the support and interest of the people that will make the building
into a real community center.
    Several months ago, I pitched this idea to some representatives of
local community groups.  The response was very positive.  Then I
contacted Gary Riedner and Randy Rice of the city administration.  No
way.  They hated the idea.
    Well, maybe the city is desperate enough now to consider using the
real power of this community: the initiative and spirit of its citizens.

BL