Council To Stabilize And Save Historic Downtown Buildings With New Program <br>Construction Set To Begin On 1st Street Abandoned or Unused Structures

A new program approved by the City Council is aimed at improving the appearance of the Downtown Area and saving several historical buildings from collapse in the process.

City Administrator John Roche proposed the initiation of a long-time considered plan to have property owners donate abandoned buildings in the downtown area to the city. The city would then use an inmate crew to stabilize and clean up the property and would put the building up for sale. The former owners will receive a tax break from the donation and will have the first option to buy back the restored building.

The city is looking at focusing their efforts on buildings located on 1st street during the beginnings of the program.

Roche feels the community is in danger of losing some of the historical buildings in the area and doesn’t want to see that happen. The Mayor instructed the City Staff to create a list of the properties proposed to be included in this effort and begin contacting the owners.

A proclamation was approved and issued making August 17 and 18 “Honoring Our Elders” Days at the Winslow Campus of Care. The Campus of Care is hosting a Native American Pow Wow on those days and Mayor Jim Boles encouraged everyone to attend. Co-chairperson of the event, Dan Wetherbee, was on hand to accept the proclamation on behalf of Winslow Campus of Care.

The Council also approved the leasing of Lindberg-Winslow Regional Airport to the fixed based operator Williams Air Adventure. The lease includes a one-cent fuel tax of the fuel sold until March 2002, then the tax will increase to five cents. A historical preservation clause was also inserted into the lease to ensure the airport’s historical significance and heritage is kept safe.

As was discussed at the previous Council meeting, Williams Air Adventure hopes to bring the same services to Winslow that they created at the Williams Airport. Such services include a full-time mechanic on staff, aircraft rental, charter planes and even a flight school.

Susie Kaufman, Administrative Assistant for the City, submitted an oral report concerning the city-wide clean-up program that has resulted in seven properties being cleared of abandoned buildings or debris. Kaufman reported that the Weed and Seed program has been a huge asset to the effort by providing both funds and volunteers. She also thanked city crews for giving up their Saturday’s to the program and Councilwoman Dee Rodriguez and Mayor Jim Boles for their help, as well.

Navajo County Supervisor J.R. DeSpain was on hand to deliver the lease payment for the Navajo County Jail. The city receives payment based on the jail’s gross income and the number of beds available. He also disputed any rumors of the Winslow branch closing once the new facility in Holbrook nears completion. He said that some repairs would have to be made to the Winslow branch, but it would be reopened after the construction is completed.

Pat Burke, representing Waste Management, was also in attendance to deliver the department’s second and final franchise check for $37,500. The money will go towards the closure of the landfill.

The Council will begin considering a new site for the public library at the urging of the Friends of the Library.

Two options to the council, the proposed Downtown site or using Old Main as a joint public and school library. The board will consider a location and the Mayor proposed further discussion in 60 days.

The final actions taken were the first readings of ordinances allowing the sale of 1.27 acres located at the Winslow Airport Subdivision to J-Rad Services, metal fabricators, and 2.925 acres located at the Airport Industrial Park to Henry Juergens Jr. The sales include a Reversionary clause, which states that if the land is not developed within two years to the City’s satisfaction, the land will return to the City and the buyer will receive no compensation for the return of the land. If these sales are approved at the September 11th Council meeting, the land will officially change hands 30 days later.

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