Culver Redevelopment Commission

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Last night the Culver Redevelopment Commission met for their regular monthly meeting.  Kathy Clark spoke to the group in support of some projects that had come before them.  (Kathy was the chair of the Redevelopment Commission when it was first formed.)

She was there to help my cause of getting the Redevelopment Commission to fund the new Comprehensive Plan.  She stated that the Comprehensive plan is an integral part of retaining and bringing new business to Culver by setting goals and planning on where development should occur.  She cited examples of how the original Redevelopment Commission used the Comprehensive Plan to determine how to layout the TIF districts and where to spend the money that was provided by the TIF districts.  She also gave her reasoning on where TIF money should be spent.  The Commission was moved by her insights and has chosen to fund the Comprehensive Plan.  They did put some caveats on the cost and they did ask for involvement in selecting the consultant, but overall it was a big step forward.  Culver just may get 20/20 vision before 2020 arrives!

Bob Porter, Culver Utilities Superintendent, was there to request funding for a clock to be added to the Downtown Revitalization Project.  The Commission agreed to fund this too, probably due to Kathy’s pep talk.  Bob didn’t give a lot of details other than that it would be a four faced post clock which would be set in the Right-of-Way somewhere around the intersection of Main Street and Jefferson Street.

Tom Kearns and Mike Stallings were there from the Culver Tree Commission requesting funding for a tree project to improve School Street starting at the intersection with S.R. 10 and running south to Academy Road.  (See sketch)  Tom indicated that they had the support of all the property owners involved.  He also stated that the tree selections were made with the power lines in mind as well as a goal of having color throughout the year.  It was a good night to visit the Redevelopment Commission as they chose to fund this project as well!

Grace Baptist Church Railings

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[slideshow type=”cycle” category=”144″ size=”normal”]The Grace Baptist Church in Plymouth has a traditional pulpit with a curved dais at the front of the Church.  The Pastor has a lectern in the center of this and the choir has seating behind that.  They contacted us because it has become an issue over the years with choir members  coming down the curved steps without railings.  They asked us to come up with a railing that would fit in with the existing woodwork and give choir members something to hold on to while they come down the stairs.  They were most concerned with safety and aesthetics.

We came up with several options for them and provided sketches.  There were different things that could be done with locations and volutes.  They selected a curved rail option with newel posts at either end and decorative balusters under the railing.  This was the most stable option as well as fitting well into the existing style of woodwork.

Curved railings are always challenging as the railing comes in a sliced profile (See image to the left) that must be bent and glued in the field.  In this case it was further complicated by the need to bend the rail around the location where their baby grand piano sits.  Also, the rail runs with a curved counter to the curve of the steps.  To add one more complication, the existing planters and stairs had different dimensions on either side of the pulpit despite looking symmetrical from the sanctuary.  To accommodate this we formed and bent the railing on the grand piano side first and then duplicated that curve with slight adjustments to account for the symmetry issue.  The new woodwork was then stained to match.  The Church is pleased with the final outcome.  Pastor Matthew Elliott said, “They look so nice people do not want to even touch them!  I think if you had completed them between services most parishioners wouldn’t have realized there had been a change.  They look like they’ve always been there.”

Dave Epley was our carpenter for this project.  We’re pleased with Dave’s work on this.

 

Culver’s Firemen’s Memorial

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Should it be Firemen’s or Fireman’s?  In any case, Culver Union Township Fire Department (CUTFD) is considering erecting a Memorial where they can honor the firemen that dedicated their time and energy to the protection of lives and property in the Town of Culver and surrounding Union Township.  They currently have a two memorial plaques on the building for past Fire Chiefs.  It would be difficult to install more without changing the prominence, plus since a new building is being considered, a better location/system is needed.

CUTFD Secretary/Treasurer, Dave Cooper, asked me to come up with a suitable design for this project.  He asked that I incorporate the bell that currently hangs in front of the Fire Station.  They also have a hose cart that they want included.  They want an appropriate memorial where markers could be added over time.

The sketch above (Thanks Mary Ellen!) shows the main memorial wall.  It mimics some of the natural field stone work in the existing planter in front of the Fire Station.  This is an element that was recommended as a continuing theme in the Culver Design Charrette.  The field stone and limestone theme is also seen in the “Welcome to Culver” sign (see picture at left) at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Highways 10 & 17 as well as other places throughout town.

The wall is a curved wall on a 15′ radius which would have their antique hose cart as a focal point near the radius center.  The original design called for a paver plaza in front of the memorial with the hose cart (picture to the right) in the center.  Currently the firemen are considering using the plaza pavers as a fundraising mechanism similar to what was done at Heritage Park.

The bell that is currently mounted in the existing planter (See picture to the left) would be relocated to the center of the new memorial.  It would be fixed in place as it is now, but it would be more accessible where it could be touched.  It will be recessed into the masonry and supported by a steel lintel.

The sketch shows Tempest Torches on the columns at either end.  (See the picture to the right.)  These are gas fired torches that would draw attention to the memorial.  They could be lit for events or special occasions, i.e. Lakefest, Firemen’s Festival, Lion’s Club Corn Roast, Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival, etc., but remain decorative the rest of the time if they chose not to keep them lit.  It seemed fitting to use fire as part of the memorial and it plays into an eternal flame theme.  The firemen are considering these, but they could be removed to save expense.

I gave several other options for them to consider, such as a Philharmonic fire and water fountain.  What could be better for firemen than a display that includes BOTH fire and water!?!  I also suggested the possibility to add benches or possibly a triple pole flag display.

My suggestion for the individual memorial plaques would be to get bronze castings in the shape of the fire helmet badges (picture to the right) used by CUTFD.  The plaques could be cast with names, dates, numbers or whatever other symbols of significance they chose.  The sketch shows bands of limestone set into the wall where the memorial markers could be anchored.  These could be set permanently with inaccessible epoxy anchors.

The firemen would like to place this memorial in the lawn area on the south side of the firemen’s parking lot.  I am suggesting that it be placed towards the corner on the west side, angled with its center line 45 degrees to the sidewalk intersection.  This would orient it somewhat towards the fire station while keeping the focus towards Lake Shore Drive.  This would minimize the disruption to the site, existing trees and ancillary uses such as the Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival’s donor dinner.

I have suggested that a donor website be created to generate interest in the project and to solicit donations.  The generosity of the Culver community is often amazing and possibly a donor that has had their lives touched by these dedicated public servants may step forward with a donation that would cover one of the larger elements.  That would make the memorial that much more significant.  As always, comments or suggestions are welcome here.  Changes are always easier while the project is at the paper stage, so this is the time for input.

 

United Way Golf Ticket

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The Marshall County United Way has mounted a fundraiser with a benefit…  Enjoy a free round of golf at each of six courses in Marshall County!

Get your foursome together and plan a weekly caravan.  It’s for a good cause.

Cards may be purchased at the participating golf courses as well as various other community supporters (See the flyer to the right.)

For more about the good work that Marshall County United Way underwrites and the various ways you can add your support, see the flyer here.