Saturday, November 27, 2010

How I feel about the Palace Hotel

Photo from the Crookston Times    Push Play to listen while reading...


"Patient Trust in Ourselves and the Slow Work of God"
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.  I am, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.  I like to skip the intermediate stages.  I am impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.  And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability -- and that it may take a very long time.  And so I think it is with (historic preservation).  Ideas mature gradually -- I should have started early and let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste.  I shouldn't have tried to force them on, as though (we, Prairie Skyline Foundation) could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on our own good will) will make (us) tomorrow; Only God can say what this spirit (of restructuring our organization) gradually forming within (us) will become, and (we must) accept the anxiety of feeling in suspense and incomplete. Adapted from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.  

Who knows what will become of us. We are heartbroken.









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Saturday, November 13, 2010

Historic Preservation and Jobs

• In Michigan, $1 million in building rehabilitation creates 12 more jobs than does manufacturing $1 million worth of cars;
• In West Virginia, $1 million of rehabilitation creates 20 more jobs than mining $1 million worth of coal;
• In Oklahoma, $1 million of rehabilitation creates 29 more jobs than pumping $1 million worth of oil;
• In Oregon, $1 million of rehabilitation creates 22 more jobs than cutting $1 million worth of timber;
• In Pennsylvania, $1 million of rehabilitation creates 12 more jobs than processing $1 million worth of steel;
• In California, $1 million of rehabilitation creates five more jobs than manufacturing $1 million worth of electronic equipment;
• In South Dakota, $1 million of rehabilitation creates 17 more jobs than growing $1 million worth of agricultural products;
• In South Carolina, $1 million of rehabilitation creates eight more jobs than manufacturing $1 million worth of textiles.

Excerpt from

Essay: Can Historic Preservation Help Lead Us Out of the Recession

Sept 28, 2009
-By James T. Kienle, FAIA

Friday, November 5, 2010

Now why can't UMC do that?

from the October 25th Crookston Times, no online comments.


Grand Forks, N.D. —
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Grand Forks city leaders are setting up a task force to look at extending the University of North Dakota’s presence downtown.
    UND President Robert Kelley has spoken repeatedly of his desire to see that happen, and City Council President Hal Gershman tells the Grand Forks Herald he decided to do something about it.
    Gershman says it’s too soon to talk about the potential spending of city money or renting of city property. He says he’d like to see the private sector play a role.





 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Crookston's Own Winchester House Reblog

It would be so cool to have a flashlite tour for Halloween!

Crookston’s Own Winchester House

2010 October 15
by admin
Check out these build your own house images:
Crookston’s Own Winchester House
build your own house

Image by D. Bjorn, Catchin’ Up
On the edge of Crookston, there is this house. When I first saw it 20 years ago, it was a normal, average Minnesota farm house. Then, it slowly started to morph.
I didn’t pass by it again since it wasn’t on my normal route for close to 15 years. When I did in the summer of 2000, I had to stop. The guy who owns it had made a few additions. Okay, a LOT of additions, and it just looked bizarre.
I’ve asked a lot of people about the house, and have heard various stories. One is that as long as your building, you don’t have to pay the full amount on your property taxes. Others say the guy is just bored and likes to build.
I personally think he’s chasing demons. Just like the Winchester lady out in California.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Power of One

"The fact that this country has any important historic buildings and places at all did not happen by accident and did not happen because the government was the first to recognize that it would take intentional plans to save those buildings that have become symbols that define our nation to ourselves and to the rest of the world. Specifically, I refer to Independence Hall.
Independence Hall, originally known as the State House for the Pennsylvania Assembly, was built in 1732. The Second Continental Congress met there in 1775. George Washington was sworn in there as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. The Declaration of Independence was signed there in 1776. The Articles of Confederation were ratified there in 1781. The Constitution was written there in 1787. Independence Hall, since 1979, has been a U. S. World Heritage site according to the International Council on Monuments and Sites, one of only 20 such sites in the U.S. and one of only two such buildings in the U.S., the other being Monticello.
While no one would disagree how important this building is today, it was losing its character-defining features even when it was center stage in our early history as a nation. The steeple was removed in 1781 because it had rotted out and become a hazard. After 1800, when the U. S. government moved to Washington, the building was little used except during elections and as a courthouse. In 1812, the wings and their connections to the State House were demolished and were replaced with fireproof buildings.
In 1816, the state legislature needed money to build a new capitol in Harrisburg. The state planned to put the building and adjacent square on the auction block, including the Liberty Bell. However, they gave Philadelphia an option to purchase the entire area for $70,000, less than half of Its assessed value of $150,000. The city could not refuse such a deal, and took possession in 1818.
During a week's visit to Philadelphia in the fall of 1824, part of a year-long return stay in the U. S., the Marquis de Lafayette: "electrified everyone in the crowds especially the mayor and members of the city council. The State House, which had been neglected and in need of repair, suddenly became an inspiration to his audience the moment the legendary figure delivered a speech crafted with significant observations about America, its model government, the Declaration of Independence, and his military idol, George Washington."
As a result of his impassioned observations of what had been and what was being lost, the State House would become one of America’s most important historic sites as it came to be called Independence Hall. Where there had been no plans or any serious thought about preserving the building as an historic shrine prior to Lafayette’s visit, the public now demanded action by the government. As interest in restoring the building began to increase, Independence Hall became the first major American effort at historic preservation.
The steeple was rebuilt in 1828. Major efforts were tried, with limited success, to restore the building to its original architecture, first, in 1854, then in preparation for the 1876 centennial. An 1868 plan by the city to fill the square with flamboyant Second Empire municipal buildings suitable for Paris was eventually abandoned when the city government realized it would dwarf Independence Hall. In 1896 the Daughters of the American Revolution received authorization from the city to restore, at their own expense, the building's second floor.
The 1812 fireproof buildings were also demolished around that time. But the rebuilding of the original wings was so poorly done that the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects took responsibility for the restoration work in the 1910s and 1920s. "The AIA restorations were landmarks in the field; the architects made careful measurements and subjected the buildings to rigorous architectural analysis." In 1942, the Independence Hall Association was formed to lobby for the creation of a national historical park incorporating the Independence Square structures and other important buildings and sites in Philadelphia. In 1948, the park was created and the National Park Service has restored and maintained it ever since.
The neglect, the rediscovery of its importance through one person's leadership, the community demands, the delays and the setbacks, and the eventual successful restoration of this icon helps explain the pattern of the stories of many other historic resources in the country and the county. In Montgomery County, we saw the benign or malicious neglect of such exceptional places as the Silver Theatre, the Red Brick Courthouse, Glen Echo Amusement Park and the National Park Seminary.
The attention brought to the C & O Canal by the group hikes on it led by Justice William O. Douglas and later by Congressman Gilbert Gude were instrumental in the path to creating this long and narrow national park. The rediscovery of these important historic resources were then followed by decades of delays and setbacks before they were restored and finally saved. All could have been lost to redevelopment, the canal could have also been lost to a highway and to a dam, if not for the opposition of county residents and county grass root organizations who determinedly fought the then wise and certain plans of the government or developers." 

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Why couldn't the wading pool be put back in Central Park?

Central Park has so many good memories for me, the swings, the thing that went around in a circle and you had to run to make it go fast and then you got sick.  The teeter totters where we used to "bounce" our partner almost off the board!  But for older kids taking care of younger kids, or young mom's, the wading pool keep those little ones so busy they must have fell into bed at night and slept right through!  Don't take the campers out of Central Park.  Read this:  http://www.wecallithome.blogspot.com.

Monday, August 23, 2010

City Council 7 pm sharp tonight! Save the Wayne for Artspace!

Don't forget to show up!  Tonight, August 23, 2010 at 7 pm in City Hall is our last chance to save the Wayne/Palace Hotel.  We will be presenting three new ideas for the historic landmark plus the stabilization costs and a new downtown task force that will cross the arts with the politicians!  Be There!

Pictures are at www.ourcrookston.blogspot.com!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Palace Pavilion

Latest brainstorm, The Palace Pavilion.  Open the doors for impromptu art and entertainment!  Let's bring more events downtown besides Crazy Days.  I can envision the Hotel Wayne as a shared “center common” covered pavilion space dedicated for:   dance performances, impromptu and planned.  Temporary food vendors, art walks, roller skating, displays, and promotions, pop-up “stores,” farmer’s markets, even community rummage sales.  Complete with picnic tables, a fountain, and a deck for performing, we can gather for community education, meetings, and have a place for adults and youth to hang out.

This “Palace Pavilion” can be simply a “three-season” place with screens for summer and shutters for winter. This idea requires only building stabilization, a new roof, and complete clean-out of the building.  It puts the minimum of county and city money into it and in fact saves the city and county some of the demolition cost, while bringing much needed foot traffic to downtown Crookston.   

Of course, we certainly want to move forward on funding the “Artspace Market Survey,” in hopes of a larger development that brings in tax dollars.  In the meantime this can save the county and city money and bring a much needed ‘center’ to our town needing only a new roof every 30 years.

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Thursday, July 29, 2010

They did it 3 years in a row!



OK, This is just darn stupid.  I've complained the last couple of years about the improper and poor pruning of our lovely downtown shrubbery.  The pruner, whoever that is, trims flowering fountain shaped, "Bridal Wreath Spirea" shrubbery into boxes!  Not only does that cut more than half of the flower heads off, but the mystery pruner cuts the Korean Dwarf Lilac bush blooms off too! 

Just like the Palace/Wayne Hotel situation:  pruning out one of the few architectural beauties we have left and exposing the trashy alley to the busiest street in Crookston. 

Does anyone else feel like they are surrounded by idiots or is this how it gets when you have gardened for many many years?

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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Can you believe Crookston tore this building down?

Where was I at the time? Probably during my 20's busy with nothing important at the time. This was "urban renewal:"  Tear it down and build new."  This Bank of Crookston stood where the Bremer Bank is today.  We have lost so much already.  Public leaders should wait until we have our Artspace Market Survey done before even thinking about tearing down the Wayne/Palace Hotel.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Follow my Diet Plan!

Sorry to take so long between posts and thanks to all my readers!  I've been working hard on not one, but four historic buildings and have lost 7 pounds!  Come help me out and you too can lose weight.  In fact if all of the people who needed to lose weight in Crookston chipped in and helped clean out the former Wayne Hotel, we all will be winners.  Here is a sneak peak at the "Artspace Report:"

  " the citizens of Crookston should make it clear to their elected leaders that they want the building preserved. While we are sympathetic to the County Commissioners who see the building chiefly as drain on scarce resources, we cannot state too strongly our view that tearing it down would be akin to burning a Rembrandt because you can’t afford to have it cleaned. Every effort should be made to find the money needed to stabilize the building until a suitable reuse can be found. Once gone, it can never be replaced."


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Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Vision for Crookston condensed

I have a vision for Crookston and have been actively pursuing it. I believe we can do this with faith not fear.  My vision is for Crookston has seven parts:

1.  First do no harm, keep Crookston beautiful and recycle older buildings.
2.  Keep Crookston quiet and peaceful. Slow down traffic and see the store windows through diagonal parking and two-way traffic
3.  Encourage small businesses through incentives, bring tax dollars back into Crookston (Just passed: our State now offers historic tax credits! as well as the federal government. Thanks to Bonnie McDonald and the MN Preservation Alliance.)
4.  Bring people downtown through affordable housing, increasing events and UMC involvement.
5.  Our kids:  create the best schools ever
6.  Encourage Arts and Culture through a regional approach, advertise our low rents to artists in Grand Forks, Fargo,and the Twin Cities.
7.  Timeliness, Transparency and Democracy in government:  Extensive partnering.  Create meaningful work through  “C-bucks” trade dollars which will also create conversations across all income groups.

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

The New Streets


Which picture do you like better?

"The groundbreaking manual for walkable urban thoroughfares jointly created by the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), "Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach," is a draft no more.The manual provides welcome relief from conventional design guidelines that prescribe wider lanes and faster speeds to move more automobile traffic, with almost no regard for the environment created for pedestrians or the ability of the street to support sidewalk commerce such as sidewalk cafes and storefront businesses." (1000 Friends of Minnesota website)

Lets make Main and Broadway diagonal parking as well as some side streets.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

The American Crystal Palace

Artist, David Danielson from Roseau offers this great idea:  "I have been brainstorming about the Palace/Wayne Hotel. I'm hoping for the best with the Artspace meeting. Nonprofits have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy, though. Have you thought about corporate branding with iconic symbolism? How about renaming the Palace/Wayne the American Crystal Palace, celebrating what the Crookston region is mostly about "Sugar". People always like something sweet and I think would stop in Crookston for that free bag of sugar or sugar concoction or sugar related nicknack. A sugarbeet sculpture would be kitschy but no more kitschy than Paul and Babe.
 A coffeeshop with special gourmet crystal sugar condiments, historical museum of sugar production ,migrant workers etc. The building is large enough to house that and artspace, a large restaurant and museum space for french heritage(a heraldic sculpture of an oxcart )and other specialty stores, and of course adjunct university facilities.
 The Iconic symbolism comes into play in peoples imaginations(especially children's who want to have their pictures taken with it). Paul and Babe are the perfect folk art Iconic Symbols celebrating their region, I'm sure 99.9 percent of people in this area have stood by Paul and Babe, and why Bemidji is a tourist destination and Grand Rapids isn't so much. I'm sure American Crystal Sugar would be interested in helping in renovation along with all the sugar beet farmers and everyone else, by catering to their self interest, giving them a piece of the project. The more they give the larger the plaque or engraved brick(or hand prints in concrete) they get on the building(Roseau has done this successfully putting in a 300,000 fireplace in the library, and recently a large Gazebo in a park). There is really no reason why something grand can't be done. Roseau resurrected their old creamery building which was just a shell with no roof or windows. A group of local  private investors scrapped together 3 million, attracted one of the largest restaurant(250 seat) chains in Winnipeg. Put the Polaris Experience in and a coffeeshop. Its still a success, so if a one horse town can do it, theres no reason why Crookston can't."
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Embodied Energy

"Many believe that to have a green building, everything must grow out of the newest technologies. This approach solves one problem by introducing another: Demolishing old buildings is inefficient. When a building is torn down, its "embodied energy"--the energy already exerted to create and gather the materials, and then construct the structure--is wasted. Moreover, materials from that demolished building could end up in a landfill. The National Trust for Historic Preservation estimates that one-quarter of the municipal waste stream consists of construction debris. And according to a 2004 report by the Brookings Institution, such demolition could add up to a big problem: About one-third of the U.S. building stock will be taken down and replaced by 2030."

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Two year goal for Crookston!

The people of Crookston are speaking up about working together. And they are saying that Crookston is a great all-around place to be. As part of that vision, where do we want to be in two years? In two years, the next "bonding bill" year for the State Legislature, I want to see the "Northwest Centre for the Arts" or "Second Street Arts Centre" project successfully funded. OK, so we haven't even enjoyed our visit from "Artspace" yet I can see it, can you?

The former Wayne Hotel and former Cathedral on Ash Street are by now cleaned up through successful grant applications and donations. The spaces on the main floor of the Hotel and the former Cathedral will become working and performing art spaces for all kinds of artists, young and old: sculptors, pottery makers, metal workers, painters, musicians, actors,  photographers, video movie designers, and dancers, and the balance of funding will come from the State.

I've offered to Polk County free grantwriting services on the former Wayne Hotel for the roof and the clean up. I am already working on these grant apps for the Cathedral. In two years, I want to see Crookston written up in the news as a successful funded bonding bill project. We will need to drop our personal agendas and work together to make this happen, not just talk about it one way in public and another way in private.  Can we do that?  I have hope.

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Friday, February 26, 2010

Four New Prayers for Crookston!

One Prayer answered, Two need more Prayers, and add Four!


That community leaders prioritize developing housing and businesses downtown, Answered!

That the banks of Crookston reconsider sponsoring an affordable housing program grant application for the Union Building, the missing piece to the funding package.

That a developer comes forth to develop housing in the former Professional Building. 
That all of Crookston and area artists show up for the “Artspace” events.
That “Artspace” will choose to develop the Wayne/Palace Hotel.
Strengthen the hearts of Polk County Board Commissioners to endure the Wayne/Palace problem a bit longer.
That our younger generations speak up and encourage us when we are sad, apathetic, negative, or avoiding difficult problems.



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Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Heart of the Problem

The heart of the problem is this: 'Downtown revitalization is essentially a real estate exercise: to make a downtown 'succeed' economically, there needs to be enough sales activity taking place there to generate sales levels high enough for the businesses to afford the rent levels that property owners need to rehabilitate and maintain their buildings.
 
Kaddatz Artists Lofts, Fergus Falls, MN developed by "Artspace!"

Sales --> Rents --> Maintenance and Rehabilitation' (Kennedy Lawson Smith) How do we do this is the question. Historic Preservation for housing is one way, a proven way, a green way, and one that may just 'salvage' downtown.

Encouraging the growth and activities of the Fine Arts is another proven method.  Watch this space for news of the upcoming "Artspace" 2-Day Visit to Crookston!  America's Leading Nonprofit Real Estate Developer for the Arts / Artspace's Mission is to create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists + arts orgs!

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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Nine Reasons to Develop Downtown Crookston

1. Downtowns are an extremely efficient land use form.
2. Downtowns represent an enormous amount of investment already in place.
3. A downtown's historic buildings provide a distinctive market identity for the community.
4. Downtowns attract and cultivate independent, locally-owned, businesses.
5. Downtowns create new jobs.
6. Downtown development minimizes air pollution.
7. Downtowns are true civic places.
8. Downtown revitalization is the ultimate form of recycling.
9. Downtowns are places where true innovation often occurs.

from "Why Downtowns (Should) Matter to Planning Commissioners" by Kenneth Lawson Smith


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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Great Northern Depot and Supervalue

"I am a renovator more than I am a builder.  I love the old bones, the memories and even the awkward clown pictures on the wall.  I love the old stories that cause you to laugh out loud even when they are sooo awkward and I love the sense of history in a “place” and the way that often, below the red shag carpet and under the layers of silver wallpaper are hardwood floors that just need some elbow grease to be beautiful again and carpentry that speaks of a craftsmanship from another time." from Todd Bolsinger's blog:  "It Takes a Church"

All you builders out there, what if a replica of the Great Northern Train Depot was built in Crookston?  It could be the Community Center we are all yearning for.  Between it and the former Cathedral, and the Post Office and Trinity Lutheran Church forms a great central square to focus our economic development efforts.  Plus it will add to the sense of historic Crookston full of antiques, collectibles, and thrift stores.  And that brings on another idea:  The former SuperValue as giant thrift store.  Oooh. Anyone?  I'm pretty busy saving four historic buildings. 

Monday, January 11, 2010

Part VII Last Part of Seven Point Vision for Crookston

Develop the focus on the Arts for Downtown Crookston

Crookston already has a strong arts community. There are over 11 groups in Crookston right now. How can we take advantage of what we have and take it to the next level? Here’s the last part of my seven point vision for revitalizing Crookston. Why not capitalize on the vacant spaces in town for working spaces, performing spaces and affordable housing for artists? Those of you who picked up the first Prairie Skyline Foundation’s printed newsletter at the Irishman’s Shanty have the heads up on you. Let’s move forward by developing a Center for the Arts for performing and display space.

“No other state or nation supports the number and range of artists’ centers that Minnesota does.” Said Ann Markusen, author of the new study: “Artists’ Centers: Evolution and Impact on Careers, Neighborhoods and Economies.” Pam Holsinger Fuchs sent this article from the author to me awhile ago knowing I had long thought the arts center concept would be perfect for the former Cathedral on Ash Street. The article comes from the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) Reporter, Summer 2006 issue. It was such a great article that I am daring to synopsize it.

First it defines an artist center as being different from other artist-serving organizations and training institutions by having “(1) a dedicated space for gatherings, shared equipment, personal or group work, and exhibitions or performances; and (2) an open door, in the sense that anyone who expresses an interest may become a member; have access to events and services at an affordable price; and apply for merit-based mentorships, funding, and exhibitions.” Do we have a building or buildings? YES, the former Cathedral on Ash Street combined with the former Carnegie Library is perfectly suited for it. Just check out the architect drawings of the performance and display capabilities of the former gothic Catholic cathedral above.

Small towns such as Northfield, Grand Marais, and New York Mills have centers serving artists. Just imagine the former Cathedral with live music filling the space, perhaps using the antiphonal balconies, with visual art by local artists fill the walls and moveable panels. “New York Mills Regional Cultural Center hosts six to eight gallery exhibitions a year, some showcasing emerging local artists or historic community photos, and many performances. Visiting and area poets, authors, and storytellers share their work through readings and workshops. Traveling theater, music and dance groups perform in the gallery. The center helps artists overcome the disadvantages of being far from a major city. A monthly artist forum series brings together artists from all over the area to network and critique each other’s work. In addition the center works with other organizations to educate artists about the business side of the arts. Visiting artists offer jazz improvisation workshops, build public sculptures with community members and interact with community youth.”

Art centers are valuable community assets. The Cathedral Gallery or the Crookston Community Center for the Arts (or other appropriate name) will provide exhibition space for new and cutting edge contemporary art as well as traditional fine art. Besides visual arts, The Arts Center will also provide facilities for theatre, music, performance art and other arts, as well as art education. The proposed site is the former Cathedral on Ash Street. The former Cathedral is gothic in style with a large nave that when included with the three balconies, two of which are antiphonal seats up to 1000 people. The former altar area is perfect for a stage with two areas just off the “stage,” the North Sacristy and the South Storage area make it perfect for plays, dance, and theatre arts as well as music performances. The northwest region of Minnesota is ripe with artistic talent (over 100 active visual artists) who long for such a “jewel on the prairie” showplace and are willing to consign works for sale for a 30% commission. (On-line survey 2005 NWRDC)

Arts and tourism have long been known as economic development tools even though Arts Centers rely heavily on memberships and on local contributions. We propose to keep operating costs down by offering the building to local electric suppliers and contractors to use as an example of newer energy efficient technologies such as solar and geothermal.

The Center could also have a museum aspect qualifying the project for Institute for Museum Sciences grants. A theme of the French Catholic and Native American foundation of the original St. Anne’s and St. Mary’s the wooden pro-cathedral that preceded the Cathedral for the English speaking, celebrates the Oxcart travel and makes a nice tie into Crookston. Another possibility is a Northwestern Minnesota Gateway Visitor’s Center bringing in state tourism dollars and or a Transportation Enhancement grant. At this time the funding plan of owner, Prairie Skyline Foundation, Inc., is to raise $40,000 through leveraging small grants and donations to apply for a Federal Environmental Protection “Brownfield’s” Clean-up grant of $160,000. The new total of $200,000 will go a long way towards leveraging a McKnight Foundation capital grant for the Arts Center. It is possible that we go before the State Legislature to be included in their bonding bill for the final funding piece of the The $1.2 million dollar Arts Center.

It’s been documented that youth in the neighborhood have been energized and engaged by the arts. And indeed we will want to encourage small grantors interested in human development and furthering intercultural interaction like the new arts program at the Care and Share Shelter. Older residents can interact with the younger generation. The arts attract people with kids to the community. The arts can turn downtown around, supplying positive energy. The arts can create new connections between new partners, such as Artspace, a non-profit low-income housing developer who could develop the former “Professional Building.” No other field of interest, even sports, can provide the culture needed to attract the business executives needed to grow the community. With the support of the many arts organizations and community leaders in Crookston alone, we can jumpstart the economic center and character of Crookston.

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