Editor's Note: This is part 10 of a multi-part series. This article begins the non-profit organizations' presentations—Silver City MainStreet Project and Bridge Community.
By Mary Alice Murphy
Lucy Whitmarsh, Silver City MainStreet Project Board president, represented the group.
"Our proposal is to make improvements to the Silver City Main Street Plaza," Witmarsh said. "Currently it is an undeveloped dirt lot, used for the Farmers' Market on Saturdays during the season and as a parking lot the rest of the time.
"In 1977, we came together to create the Big Ditch Park," she continued. "In 1989, we coordinated improvements to Big Ditch Park.
"This Plaza is part of the park, is proposed in the Silver City Master Plan and is in its ICIP," Whitmarsh said. "Our partners include MainStreet Project, Silver City, the Farmers' Market and the Trails Group. It is part of a larger trail connectivity.
"We want to improve safety and accessibility," she said. "The Farmers' Market brings in 500-700 people each Saturday morning from May through October. We want grading and surfacing, with materials such as brick, and additional lighting. We also want handicapped-accessible restrooms."
"Overall, the state MainStreet request is for $3 million," Sen. Howie Morales said. "Will this be part of that request?"
"The funding will be available to the state MainStreet Program, and to projects through an application process, and we will apply," Whitmarsh said.
"Are you requesting separately?" Morales asked.
"Last year, there was no funding for the state MainStreet," Whitmarsh noted.
"Who is your fiscal agent?" Morales asked, to which Whitmarsh replied it was the town of Silver City.
"Has it been supported by the town?" Morales asked.
Whitmarsh replied: "I have a letter of support and it is on the Silver City ICIP and on the Greenways Plan.
Morales said he needed to see a capital outlay request form.
Skip Thacker and Don Trammell represented Bridge Community
"We are a 501c3 corporation formed to develop a continuum of care for seniors," Thacker began. "The facility will provide for seniors from independent living to assisted care to nursing care to memory care and hospice. It will be a seamless transition for residents. We plan on 35-40 staff and 55-60 residents."
"We have done a lot of interviews, and only one person said it wasn't needed," Trammell said. "We are underserved here for the needed care. Those over the age of 65 years make up 23.87 percent in the area, compared to 14.5 percent nationally. People are living longer, and they are needing care as they get older."
"You have received CIF (Community Investment Fund) funding, haven't you?" Morales asked.
"Yes, we have received two grants from CIF," Trammell said. "One was for the feasibility study and one for our land purchase. We own 10 acres."
"But you need $500,000 to move forward," Morales clarified.
"It will cost $14 million, upon completion, plus the duplexes for independent living," Thacker said. "In addition, we are holding exploratory talks with Silver City on a site on Brewer Hill, which has all utilities. The plot we own does not have utilities."
"This is a process question. How do we get the request?" Morales asked.
"The $500,000 is for architectural and engineering planning," Thacker explained.
"How would the $14 million be achieved?" Morales asked.
"That's what we are wrestling with, but we will consider traditional funding," Thacker said, and Trammell added the funding could possibly through bonds.
"We have applied to Freeport for funding, and we are working with Western on a business plan," Thacker said.
"Do you have a fiscal agent?" Morales asked.
Trammell replied: "We would probably go with Silver City."
"Those discussions need to take place with the town for your project to be in their ICIP," Morales said.
"We are all dedicated volunteers," Thacker said.
Morales said: "You need to meet with the mayor or the Town Council. I don't want to get into funding without the process in place."
Rep. Dianne Hamilton asked: "How many years have you been working on this?" to which Trammell replied: "Seven years."
" It's amazing that you keep pushing.," Hamilton continued. "It's a marvelous idea. We have so many retirees, who would like to stay here."
Thacker said several years ago, the group contacted CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Communities) corporations. "They told us our area is too small."
"That didn't deter you," Hamilton said.
"No, because we lose too many of our friends who have to move away," Trammell said. "Our emphasis will be on affordability.
"I have looked at what I could afford," Hamilton noted. "Yours sounds good."
"We would appreciate your support, your moral support and financial support, if you can," Thacker said.
"Determine your fiscal agent and get the capital outlay forms filled out and we will help what we can," Hamilton said.
"I'm a senior citizen," Zimmerman said. "You need a complete plan before you request funding. You have to have the whole thing put together. Do drawings."
Thacker said: "You have a copy of our feasibility study and budget. On the 10-acre-plot, we put little squares on the picture to give you the concept. A picture is worth a thousand words. It makes the project easier to sell."
"Something has to be said for perseverance," Morales said. "On either Dec. 15 or 17, I would like to meet with you."
Note: This article is taken directly from a transcript this writer is paid to deliver to the Prospectors each year for them to put the differently formatted information into the legislators' notebooks to be used during the legislative session and throughout the year.