The Carroll Historic Preservation Commission is launching a new fundraising campaign to support proposed renovations to the aging bandshell in Graham Park. The bandshell has been on the commission’s to-do list for several years. Commission President Vicki Gach says previous attempts to stave off the elements have only slowed its degradation.
The Carroll City Council previously contracted with the design firm Shive-Hattery to complete a cost and needs assessment on the bandshell. Their report showed the venue is structurally sound, but it will cost upwards of $165,000, depending on what alternates are approved, to restore the historic site. In addition to the engineering fees, the council allocated another $30,000 to the project using Hotel/Motel tax funds, leaving the project still well short of its goal. Gach says they hope to raise $75,000 in private funds for the restoration.
Details on where to send donations are also included with this story on our website. They hope to have the $75,000 raised by June 1, enabling them to leverage the city funding and private donations in grant applications. Ward 4 Councilwoman Carolyn Siemann, who also sits on the commission, says they plan to apply for plenty of grants, especially as the application for Graham Park to be added to the National Registry of Historic Places nears approval. Such designations often come with plenty of red tape for renovation work, but Gach and Siemann say that shouldn’t be the case for the bandshell.
They hope to see the restoration work begin this fall, assuming the fundraising goals are met. The Graham Park Bandshell was constructed in 1953 and has hosted many speakers, programs, and musicians, including Paul Simon in 2007 during a campaign event for former presidential candidate and senator Chris Dodd. Activities at the bandshell have waned in recent years, but the commission plans to work with Carroll Parks and Recreation and other community organizations to host more events at the venue.
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SEND DONATIONS TO:
Band Shell/Carroll Foundation
City of Carroll
627 N. Adams St.
Carroll, IA 51401
