Finally, the city council will vote on whether the AMVETS building will become historic. The council meeting will take place at 6:15 p.m. If your not planning on going to city hall, consider coming down to AMVETS to watch on TV while enjoying an adult beverage. The council agenda and documents about the AMVETS can be found at http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/officials/clerk/Agenda/PublishedMeetings.htm.
What does this vote mean? Well, if the council votes to make the building historical, there is no chance that the church (once prospective buyer) will ever want to resume negotiations to purchase the building. I would like to try to make the best of a historic designation by finding grants available specifically for historic buildings. I do know grants for such buildings are available but not to what extent. There is also the slight possibility that we find a new buyer that does not want to demolish the building.
If the council votes to not make it historic, no one is sure of what will happen. The church may want to resume negotiations early next year. The owner of the Penguin may or may not want to deal with us again. Assuming that the original parties are still willing to buy/sell, it cannot be assumed that it will be at previous dollar amounts. We may search for another buyer and/or new building to move to. The post will have to get another 2/3 membership vote if the parties involved (church and Penguin) or the dollar amount changes. It may be hard to get another 2/3 vote to move, gauging from peoples frustrations related to the most recent deal or lack thereof.
This vote does not seal our fate one way or the other. There is much more to be done if we move or if we stay.
Joe Sharpe
Finance Officer
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Chirstmas Baskets
Applications to nominate someone to receive a Christmas Basket are available at the bar. If you know a veteran in need this holiday season please come down and fill out an application for him or her. Families of service members deployed are also great candidates to receive baskets.
We are taking donations to help cover the costs of the baskets this year. If you want to donate please either contact me (309-251-5455) or there will be a place at the bar in which to leave your donations. I encourage our members to also seek donations from the community. I am not too proud to beg for veterans' families, so I will bug you if I see you. Along with the Christmas Baskets I would like to be able to give Toys R Us gift cards to families with children. This will allow for the parents to buy gifts for their children that might not otherwise be purchased.
We will be putting baskets together and handing them out on Sunday December 21, starting at 9 a.m.
Joe Sharpe
Finance Officer
We are taking donations to help cover the costs of the baskets this year. If you want to donate please either contact me (309-251-5455) or there will be a place at the bar in which to leave your donations. I encourage our members to also seek donations from the community. I am not too proud to beg for veterans' families, so I will bug you if I see you. Along with the Christmas Baskets I would like to be able to give Toys R Us gift cards to families with children. This will allow for the parents to buy gifts for their children that might not otherwise be purchased.
We will be putting baskets together and handing them out on Sunday December 21, starting at 9 a.m.
Joe Sharpe
Finance Officer
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Commission: AMVETS Building a Landmark
This blog's title was taken from the Journal Star. Here is the link to the article: http://www.pjstar.com/homepage/x1196575700/AMVETS-building-ruled-a-landmark.
On October 30th the church terminated the contract to buy the post. Yesterday the Historic Presevation Commission deemed the building worthy to be landmarked. The City Council will vote on the matter on Nov. 25th according to the Journal Star article.
I originally did not want to move but after the post voted to do so I was on board to make the best of it. We, as the AMVETS, now must realize there is no contract with the church. We can keep hope alive that the church will buy the building (if the city council votes against historic preservation) forever. How long are we going to let this drag on? How long is it going to take before the owner of the Penguin finds another buyer? If the Penguin does find another buyer the post will have to find another building, have another 2/3 majority vote to move, with advance notice given to the members. Think of the progress we can make to improve our club now.
A major reason for the move is not having an elevator. Ever since I started coming down to the AMVETS I was told that to have functions open to the public we must have an ADA compliant elevator. I even voted to spend $250,000 to put in a new elevator. We do not need a new elevator. I finally took the time to call the city to find out the facts. Currently we are grandfathered in to not have an ADA compliant elevator for public events. However, to maintain our grandfathered status, renovations to the building over a 30 month period cannot exceed $100,000 This fits into a "one floor at a time" approach. This is how a Peoria building inspector interpreted the law. I am currently waiting to hear back from a gentlemen in Springfield that handles this type of issue specifically. Please view the code http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/071/071004000F05100R.html paragraph B6.
I have taken a plumber and a union carpenter/contractor to look at the third floor. The plumber was impressed with the newer copper water lines and suggested new toilets, bathroom fixtures, and an additional toilet to the men's room. The carpenter suggested laminate flooring and paint for the walls. I did not receive a written quote from either, but the carpenter believed that if we spent over $15,000 on paint and flooring materials we would be wasting out money.
High utilities are another supposed reason to move. So far this year our average CILCO bill has been under $2,000. The roof was cited as another reason to move. I have been on the roof and, although I'm not a roofer its condition looks excellent. The point is that we can easily spend less than $100,000 in order to start renting out the third floor ballroom.
Fixing one floor at a time is not enough by itself. We must hire someone able to maintain and actively promote the building to its fullest potential. I think Liz has taught us that one motivated employee can make a huge difference to the club. I am referring to the dramatic increase in daytime business. Linda currently cannot take on further responsibility required to fill this needed position.
I thank everyone that has put time into the move and I share your frustration caused by recent events. It is now time to move on and not let our fate rest in the hands of others.
Joe Sharpe
Finance Officer
On October 30th the church terminated the contract to buy the post. Yesterday the Historic Presevation Commission deemed the building worthy to be landmarked. The City Council will vote on the matter on Nov. 25th according to the Journal Star article.
I originally did not want to move but after the post voted to do so I was on board to make the best of it. We, as the AMVETS, now must realize there is no contract with the church. We can keep hope alive that the church will buy the building (if the city council votes against historic preservation) forever. How long are we going to let this drag on? How long is it going to take before the owner of the Penguin finds another buyer? If the Penguin does find another buyer the post will have to find another building, have another 2/3 majority vote to move, with advance notice given to the members. Think of the progress we can make to improve our club now.
A major reason for the move is not having an elevator. Ever since I started coming down to the AMVETS I was told that to have functions open to the public we must have an ADA compliant elevator. I even voted to spend $250,000 to put in a new elevator. We do not need a new elevator. I finally took the time to call the city to find out the facts. Currently we are grandfathered in to not have an ADA compliant elevator for public events. However, to maintain our grandfathered status, renovations to the building over a 30 month period cannot exceed $100,000 This fits into a "one floor at a time" approach. This is how a Peoria building inspector interpreted the law. I am currently waiting to hear back from a gentlemen in Springfield that handles this type of issue specifically. Please view the code http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/071/071004000F05100R.html paragraph B6.
I have taken a plumber and a union carpenter/contractor to look at the third floor. The plumber was impressed with the newer copper water lines and suggested new toilets, bathroom fixtures, and an additional toilet to the men's room. The carpenter suggested laminate flooring and paint for the walls. I did not receive a written quote from either, but the carpenter believed that if we spent over $15,000 on paint and flooring materials we would be wasting out money.
High utilities are another supposed reason to move. So far this year our average CILCO bill has been under $2,000. The roof was cited as another reason to move. I have been on the roof and, although I'm not a roofer its condition looks excellent. The point is that we can easily spend less than $100,000 in order to start renting out the third floor ballroom.
Fixing one floor at a time is not enough by itself. We must hire someone able to maintain and actively promote the building to its fullest potential. I think Liz has taught us that one motivated employee can make a huge difference to the club. I am referring to the dramatic increase in daytime business. Linda currently cannot take on further responsibility required to fill this needed position.
I thank everyone that has put time into the move and I share your frustration caused by recent events. It is now time to move on and not let our fate rest in the hands of others.
Joe Sharpe
Finance Officer
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween Party a Success!
The Halloween Party was a great time! Troy, one of our bartenders, won first place in the costume contest. He's the tall one in the picture on the AMVETS website. I have not seen that many people at AMVETS on a Friday night in the last two years. I would like to thank Mike Milligan for organizing the party and preparing the chili and dogs. I also want to thank our judges Carol, Meridith, and Judy. They made the contest really fun.
I was a little disappointed to see no Veterans in costume (myself included). Only associates dressed up. Next year I'll be sure to be in costume and encourage others to do so as well.
Start getting excited for Veterans' Day! The post will open early for the parade.
I was a little disappointed to see no Veterans in costume (myself included). Only associates dressed up. Next year I'll be sure to be in costume and encourage others to do so as well.
Start getting excited for Veterans' Day! The post will open early for the parade.
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