City to receive $497K to adapt Chapman School for reuse as a library

Caty Greene, Apalachicola Municipal Librarian
Photo by Gail Johnson

The Florida Legislature has allocated in the states FY 2014-15 budget, $497K to the City of Apalachicola for the adaptive reuse of the 80-year-old Chapman School into a Municipal Library.

The appropriation comes under the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services Public Library Construction Grant, which has been applied for by the city over the last several years beginning in 2008 when Cindi Giametta, the city’s former grants manager wrote and submitted the initial grant application.

Apalachicola Municipal Librarian, Caty Greene took over the task of writing the grant in 2011, and her persistent efforts in doing so in each successive year has finally paid huge dividends for the people of Apalachicola.

The grant calls for the remodeling of the 6400 sq. ft. Chapman School for use as an independent municipal library headquarters, with Architect fees, which include planning costs totaling $38K of the award. Eighty-nine thousand has been earmarked to install an elevator, $92K for initial equipment and the remaining $278K towards the actual remodeling.

“Since obtaining permission from the county to include the school in this year’s Tour of Homes, there has been an outpour of community interest in seeing the building restored”, said Susan Buzzett-Clementson, Chair of the Apalachicola Municipal Library Board.  “Once we get in there, we will be able to raise more funds.”

In addition, during the 36th Annual Conference of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation held in Tampa this year, the Trust announced that the school was identified as a success for ongoing preservation funding efforts.

And just last year, Kara J. Litvinas, then a graduate student in Historic Preservation at the University of Florida, wrote a thesis on Chapman’s adaptive use as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for her Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation.  

“In the case of Apalachicola, the reuse of Chapman School is just one example of a type of catalyst project that could spark positive community growth”, wrote Litvinas.

The Legislature also appropriated $50K during the 2014 session to place a new roof over the building.  In addition, there’s the possibility of utilizing the $421K bequeathed to the Apalachicola Municipal Library by the Key estate.

The good news in all of this, is that there’s no matching requirement for the $497K grant. Under the State’s Rural Economic Development Imitative (REDI) the city gets to benefit from a waiver of the required match.

However, before the residents of Apalachicola can begin utilizing and enjoying the décor of a restored 80-year-old Art Deco building as the home of its library, there’s a few hurdles that has to be jumped.

The funding allocation must first survive Gov. Rick Scott’s veto pen and an agreement to renovate and use the facility as a library has to be reached with the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners, who were deeded the property by the School Board in 2009 and finding a new home for the building’s current occupant.

Apalachicola man commended for assisting police officer during public affray

L-R: Col. Perez Bellelis, Sgt. Eddie Joe Moses, Jr., Chief Bobby Varnes
and Maj. Jeral Hall.  Photo provided by Franklin Correctional Institution

A local man was commended today by Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes for assisting Police Officer Timothy Davis during a public affray that developed yesterday at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave & 12th Street.

Apalachicola resident Eddie Joe Moses, Jr., who works as a Correctional Officer Sergeant at Franklin Correctional Institution was driving by the intersection where he witnessed the ruckus developing and stopped to ensure no potential harm befell Davis, the lone officer on the scene. Moses remained by Davis’s side in the midst of the scuffle until other officers arrived to ensure Davis’s continued safety.

“It is unfortunate that officers sometimes find themselves in situations that their safety could be jeopardized. This could very well have been the case with Officer Davis’ call yesterday", wrote Chief Varnes in a letter commending Moses.

"Your willingness to simply be there for Officer Davis and 'have his back' until back up could arrive, shows extreme character.  When most citizens would have observed and perhaps moved on, you were willing to take a part to ensure no harm came to an officer", wrote Varnes.

Although no harm came to the person of Officer Davis during the commotion, the residents of the City of Apalachicola owe Moses a great debt of gratitude for his tremendous display of public bravery and public spirit.

The fight started with a pick up game at the 6th Street basketball court and escalated on 12th Street when others got involved. All suspects involved were arrested and charged with Public Affray.

2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecasted to be Near or Below Normal

With the official start of hurricane season now less then a week away, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced last week its forecast for the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The U.S. is primarily affected by the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which officially starts June 1 and runs through November 30 of each year. However, tropical systems can and do develop outside the offical season. August, September and October contain 78% of all Tropical Storm days, 86% of all minor hurricanes and 96% of all major hurricane events according to Wikipedia.

For the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season the federal agency has predicted a below average to near-average season, with between 8 and 13 named storms, three to six of which will become hurricanes, with one to two of those potentially growing to major hurricanes of category three or higher.

Although NOAA has predicted a quiet 2014 storm season, agency heads have also belabored the point not to become complacent or lured into a false sense of security, because one bad storm can be absolutely devastating.

Some precautions to always take during hurricane season regardless of the forecast include preparing a first aid kit, gathering some bottled water and important documents such as your driver’s license, social security cards and insurance information. A flashlight, batteries and a battery-powered radio are also essential items to gather.  It is also wise to have an evacuation plan established beforehand.

Additional tips can be found by visiting the Franklin County Emergency Management or FEMA websites.  The more prepared you are for a disaster the better off you and your family will be.

NAMED STORMS FOR THE 2014 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON:

Arthur

Bertha

Cristobal

Dolly

Edouard

Fay

Gonzalo

Hanna

Isaias

Josephine

Kyle

Laura

Marco

Nana

Omar

Paulette

Rene

Sally

Teddy

Vicky

Wilfred

Wishing everyone a Happy, Great and Safe Memorial Day Weekend

"Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored". - Daniel Webster

In addition, Governor Rick Scott has directed all U.S. and State flags in Florida to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise today until noon on May 25, 2014, in recognition of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout the history of this great nation.

Photos from today's Forgotten Coast Paddle Jam 2014 at Battery Park Marina in Historic Apalachicola

The 2014 Florida Legislative End of Session Report

Franklin County faired rather well in terms of the number of projects funded during the 2014 Legislative session thanks to Senator Bill Montford and Representative Halsey Beshears.

FRANKLIN COUNTY AWARDS DESCRIPTION AND FUNDING:

• Carrabelle Old City Hall - Phase II Historical Rehabilitation - $50,000
• Chapman Auditorium Re-roofing - $50,000
• City of Apalachicola - Apalachicola Center for History, Culture & Art - $25,000
• City of Apalachicola - Chapman School Building - $497,000
• Dixie Theatre Foundation, Inc. - $16,950
• Fort Coombs Armory Rehabilitation - $350,000
• Franklin County - Vrooman Park - $50,000
• Franklin's Promise Coalition, Inc. - Weems Memorial Arts In Medicine - $25,000
• Apalachicola Bay Oyster Processor Facilities Upgrades - $768,060

TOTAL: $1,832,010

FDOT Road Projects Total:

• Apalachicola Regional Airport Rehab Runway 18/36 PH II - $265,147
• Apalachicola Regional Airport Stormwater & Drainage - $2,400,000
• Carrabelle-Thompson Airport extend runway 5/23 - $181,818
• SR 30 (US 98) Ave E from W of CR 384 12th ST to Apalachicola River Bridge - $$833,096
• SR 300 Island Drive from SR 30 (US 98) to ST George Island Bridge - $75,441
• Crooms Inc. Transit Section 5311 Non-urbanized Area - $131,628

TOTAL: $3,887,130

GRAND TOTAL: $5,719,140

NOTE: All Line Items are Subject to the Governor's Veto

Historic Chapman Auditorium Identified for Ongoing Preservation Funding

It was announced today in Tampa during the 36th Annual Conference of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation that the Historic Chapman Auditorium has now been identified as a success for ongoing preservation funding efforts. 

Last year during the annual conference the Trust announced the auditorium one of the most endangered historic sites in the state, which generated an outpour of public support toward preserving the 80-year-old art deco building.  

Also earlier today Florida State Senator Bill Montford released the 2014 Florida Legislative End of Session Report, which included an appropriation of $50K to place a new roof over the auditorium. 

In other conference news the Trust named Apalachicola Planning & Zoning member Lynn Wilson Spohrer to its board of trustees. This years conference, which ends May 17 is well attended by an entourage from Apalachicola, which include Spohrer, City Administrator Betty Webb and Contract City Planner Cindy Clark.

City new public restrooms recognized for historic flavor

Apalachicola Mayor Pro Tem Frank Cook holds up award next to restrooms
Photo by Janelle Paul

The recently completed public restroom facility in downtown Apalachicola picked up an award from the Florida Heritage Foundation and the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation for outstanding achievement in the catergory of "New Construction".  

Apalachicola Mayor Pro Tem Frank Cook accompanied by Betty Webb, City Administrator were on hand to accept the prestigious award at the 2014 Tallahassee/Leon County Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony held May 8, at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee.

City officials expended $10K received from the Franklin County Tourist Development Council and another $300K from a Community Development Block Grant to design, engineer and construct the much needed facility in a way that blends with the historic flavor of downtown Apalachicola.

"Since being placed into service last October, the restrooms have become a much welcomed amenity to the downtown area, welcomed by both visitors and residents alike", said Webb.

Extraordinaire city volunteers John and Judy Rutz, along with the always helpful members of the Historic Apalachicola Main Street Committee and city staff have dedicated themselves to the task of ensuring the facility is kept clean and open 7-days a week from 9:00AM in the morning until 6:00PM in the afternoon.

The award winning facility was designed by 4M Design Group, engineered by Inovia Consulting Group and constructed by local contractor Poloronis Construction Company.

Also receiving an award in the category of "Preservation Project of Regional Impact" was the Chapman House Museum.  The Chapman House is the home of world renown physician and botanist Dr. Alvan Wentworth Chapman.  The museum is currently undergoing restoration under the meticulous guidance of Dr. Helen E.A. Tudor and Walter B. Melvin, Restoration and Historic Preservation Architect out of New York City.  

Online petition started to hold BP accountable for 2010 Gulf oil spill

A petition has been started online urging the Obama Administration to hold British Petroleum (BP) fully accountable for paying all claims associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  If the petition gets enough support, White House staff will review it and ensure that it’s sent to the appropriate policy experts and issue an official response. To access and sign the petition click HERE!

Bay Community School to host 3rd Annual Art Show & Dinner

The Bay Community School (BCS), a community based non-profit pre-school in Apalachicola is hosting their 3rd Annual Art Show, Dinner and Silent Auction on Friday, May 23, from 6:00PM – 9:00PM at the Apalachicola History Culture & Arts Center located at 86 Water Street in downtown Apalachicola across the street from Riverfront Park.

All the art work to be on display were created by the hands of the children, so come on out; support the children’s hard work and this great cause all while having fun and dinner prepared by Tamara's Café.

BCS is also looking for community sponsors to help defray the cost of the event. Both individual and/or business sponsorships are $100 and will include a dinner ticket and recognition at the event and on the schools website at www.baycommunityschool.com.

Founded in 1996, Bay Community School has been providing quality childcare and pre-school services to children ages 2 to 5 years old.  The school is located at 269 Fred Meyer Street and it's there to meet the needs of a diverse population of families in Franklin County. The teachers are certified and the school also provides the State Volunteer Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) to 4 year olds.

Tickets for the event are $20 per person for dinner and drinks, with all proceeds going to help defray the basic expenses of running the school.

For more information about the event and ticket sales, please contact Anna-Maria Cannatella at either (850) 323-1600 or anna-maria@apalachicolahomes.net.