Sedona AZ (June 6, 2014) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:
Hello all!
I am sending this message to my email notice list in the hope of getting feedback from you.
Since I began working at Town Hall in 2009, one of my responsibilities has been the repair and maintenance of Town properties, which include the Hotel Jerome, the Old Town Hall and the Jerome Civic Center.
Jerome AZ Fire Station
It has been about five years and the work at Town Hall is going slow because there is not much money – most of the work done has been done with grant money, volunteers and donations, as well as reusing parts of the old building (old doors, railings, hardware, etc.)
In 2009, the entire third floor was vacant or used as storage – now it includes the Old Book Room of the Library, the P&Z office and the offices of the magistrate and court clerk.
Currently, I am working on getting a restroom on the third floor to accommodate the offices there. Also, there is an area on the third floor that will become additional storage for town records and there will also be a storage area.
In the near future, there are plans to create a courtroom across the hall from the court offices, which will mostly be paid for with court funds.
The first floor has four spaces that are entirely given over to the Library. Three of those rooms have been cleaned up and made usable as rentals, while the fourth room, for this summer, will be used for the Jerome Kids Art Workshop.
On the main floor, there is now a small kitchenette, for the use of anyone in the building.
I have a several-year plan for bringing the entire town hall building back to life, but would like to know if this is something that I, or anyone, should be doing. I think this is good for the community, but I would like to hear from you and, I invite you all to come and see this wonderful building.
Every now and then, I hear that people think that Town Hall is being renovated for the employees and, while this is untrue, I would like to find out what you all think. Overall, the work done on all these properties is for the benefit of the community – the Town and residents.
If there is enough interest, I can set up a tour/meeting and take you to see what has been done and what the future holds.
Thank you,
—
Rosemarie Shemaitis
Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Jerome
600 Clark Street
P.O. Box 335
Jerome, AZ 86331
928-634-7943
r.shemaitis@jerome.az.gov
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Never change the appearance of the outside of the buildings. They have beautiful character and patina. Improvement can be a bad word on things that can never be replicated today. Like your buildings in Jerome. I’m not saying that you are doing this, just be careful. Your town is a gem.
The individuality of a look of a building creates an element of surprise. It makes walking around interesting and people like surprise. People come to the west to experience our countries past. Most areas around the country have slowly lost their regionalization and look cookie cutter.
I have lived in many tourist towns one being back east on the Delaware River. One million visitors a year.
If you make everything perfect, the steps, the curbs, the buildings, the signage, the colors, you remove the element of surprise. They did this. Then they wondered why it becomes quieter.
Keep it simple. Keep everything original that you can. This is what is currently pulling in so many tourists to Old Town Cottonwood, it’s retro and interesting. They must also be careful not to over improve.
Good luck.
Whatever you do don’t accept assistant from Sedona city council. They will turn your town hall into a tourist visitors center for Flagstaff or some other remote place so the chamber of commerce can advertise competition and then take your town taxes to pay for it. Retain your charm. Don’t let progressives ruin your lives like they are doing in Sedona.
For Rosemarie (and all decision makers), During a visit to Sedona we “discovered Jerome” and we loved it. Please upgrade without changing the facades if you can. We enjoyed your steep hill walk and uneven pavements and gorgeous views. We will be back to visit one day. Sincerely, Grace Oliphant, San Marin
gut the in. save the outer.