Allen County commissioners were asked Tuesday to do their part to revitalize Humboldt’s downtown.
Paul Finney, representing the town’s Downtown Action Team, proposed the county remove metal facing on the Humboldt Senior Center, owned by the county, and return its facade to its former splendor.
Finney said restoration and revitalization of the Humboldt downtown involved historic preservation, beautification, private investment and marketing of retail stores.
“I love what you’re doing,” said Commissioner Rob Francis, “but we’ll have to look at our budget.”
Finney said removing the senior center’s metal front would cost about $1,000, with cost of tuck-pointing, painting and other upgrades of what lies underneath yet to be determined.
“We’ll do some research and see what we can do,” Commissioner Dick Works said.
The group has raised about $37,000 for improvements to Humboldt’s downtown. It intends to apply for a $400,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Overall, Finney said the project likely would require about $500,000.
“It’s all about changing attitudes about the downtown area,” he said.
BILL KING, director of Public Works, said his crew began applying magnesium chloride Monday to suppress dust on rock roads throughout the county.
About 85 residents paid for the spray, with applications requiring 27,000 gallons.
“We’re shooting water on the roads ahead of the spray,” to make up for lack of natural moisture, King said, noting the suppressant worked better when roads were damp.
Also, he said stretches of roads sprayed would be wet down occasionally during the summer if the drought held. The dust-control chemical is applied only where residents paid to have it done.
The project should be completed today.
The prolonged dry spell has made roads dustier than normal and maintenance more of a chore, King observed.
