While in Howard last week, one of the second story windows in the old bank building fell to the sidewalk on Washington Street.
Someone could have been badly injured.
The city apparently sent someone over to clean up the glass and someone boarded up the window opening with plywood.
There are many windows on the second floor covered with plywood.
Waldo, unfortunately that is only going to get worse. I know some people feel that building should be saved, it is very ornate, and definitely a historical treasure. While I feel it would be great to totally redo the building and keep it as a historical treasure, I think that Howard has many other needs that would serve the people and the town in a more beneficial way long term manner. I would doubt that the building could economically be made safe for occupation and and use. It is sad but a fact of life.
Frank Winn
I, too, love the looks of that building and have always thought it would make a neat store or restaurant of some kind (as you could tell from my "Coffee for Thought post a few weeks ago). Does someone live in the back portion of the building? I had also heard rumors that someone once tried to buy the building to turn it into a steakhouse, but the deal fell through?
I understand there was a back apartment built that is no longer in use.
I also understand, someone broke into it and did considerable damage.
Pigeons also became a problem.
The inside antique stuff such as teller windows, old desks, etc., were sold off years ago.
First of all hello to everyone.
Yes it is a shame about the old bank building; I have a friend that has tried numerous times to get a hold of Sherri. Several numbers from Knut. All with no luck either disconnected or no return call. Finally left a biz card with Knut to have Sherri call him. Still no word, all I can get is a lot of people are interested in buying the place.
Well the building is not worth much in its present condition, but it will not gain any value the way it's going. Anyway my friend has many connections with the historical society and would like to get the ball rolling on getting the building restored. But first need to gain ownership of the place before he can do anything. So if anybody has any input on how to get a response about the building let me know thanks.
Anyway nice forum you all have here I will check in and post some as time permits.
See'ya Dave
I listened to Knut tell someone that he cannot get ahold of Sherri either. He has been trying and everything leads to a dead end. How sad is that?
Has anyone tried finding her through her relatives? Her uncle was well known in Elk County. And didn't her mother start the cafe that she and her husband ran for awhile?
I'm being nosey, but who is the Sherri everyone is looking for? ???
Flo, if I remember right, she is the niece of Skip Encell. I am thinking that her mother had the cafe downtown after Steve Gerkin and that Sherri took over from her. She bought the old bank and was renovating it a little at a time when she and her husband decided to move. More than that will have to come from someone who knows more than I.
WOW !! How interesting....wouldn't it be wonderful if that beautiful old building could be restored??
YIPPEE I HOPE IT HAPPENS !!!!
Sherri's husband - whose name escapes me right now - was for a short time the police in Moline.
He joined the service and was in Alabama for awhile.
Don't know where he is now, or if he's still in the service.
I am sure Janet can tell us the name when she gets on again. I think he was a part-time deputy for awhile. He was also a chef and some other things.
I believe that I read where the property taxes are mounting up on that property. There should be no reason it shouldn't be sold at the upcoming tax auction. That way it gets into the hands of someone productive and the taxes get caught up on it.
The $15,000 private contributions to place the four-face clock in the Elk County courthouse is jellybeans in comparison to that needed to correctly renovate the bank building. I am also not sure how easily the $15,000 contributions were collected.
If a government entity should take it over, I doubt local citizens could or would want to foot the cost of renovation.
My understanding is that Elk County property taxes went up quite a bit this year.
Any private individual wanting to take over the bank building would have to have deep pockets.
Unless that individual wants to depart from his or her money for the sake of history, they would also have to have some type of economic pay back from their effort to make it worthwhile. I cannot envision what that could be.
Her ex-husband name is Robert Sotta. He is in the Army, but I don't know where he is right now. I haven't had contact for over a year. Sherri's last name is Moon. She is quite the drifter. I'm with Dan. I would think it would be going up for tax sale one of these days. Someone could ask the treasurer if it will be on the list.
Waldo-
The person that I heard was interested in it wouldn't have much of an issue with costs. (if you know what I mean!)
That would be terrific!
In that case, let's do everything possible to find the owner or make sure it will be on a tax sale.