Kansas Rural Water Association

Projects

KAN STEP Melvern Community Center

The City of Melvern, located in Osage County in East-Central Kansas, is refurbishing an existing building and constructing an addition to the building to create a new community center. The community center has an estimated market value of $523,683. This project will be subsidized through a $301,266 KAN STEP grant and volunteer participation. KAN STEP is an acronym for Kansas Small Town Environment Program that is funded through the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing. KAN STEP has successfully used "sweat equity" to help communities reduce costs of water system improvements and now, fire stations and community centers. The Project Representative at Melvern is Darryl Shultze; the Grant Administrator is Donna Crawford of Governmental Assistance Services; the Architect is Stan Peterson of the Peterson Architectural Group Inc. The Kansas Rural Water Association provides Inspection Services and Assistance; Steve Duryea and Shane Holthaus are the Technical Assistants responsible. The roofing, replacement of the windows and doors, and the tuck-pointing will be contracted out. These items have been put out for bids.
The Existing Building The existing building was constructed in 1920. The walls were constructed of natural stone and a brick facing on the east and south sides. The building initially served as a Ford dealership and then was sold in the mid 30's and housed an auto and implement dealership for the next 45 years. In 1975 it was purchased and served as a mechanic shop.
Construction of the Addition The slab for the addition was constructed over a period of three weeks. The 20' by 100' addition to the east side will house the restrooms, kitchen, and the wellness center.
Assembly of the Steelwork Steelwork was required to provide support for the aging roof. The process required six 21" by 50' I-beams, 19 4" by 4" support posts, two forklifts, and three weeks to construct. The forklifts were provided by the Melvern COOP and Robert Litch, a local farmer, and the steel was purchased from B & S Steel in Kansas City.