"The Downtown Revitalization Program fund drive gives people a variety of opportunities to donate large or small amounts anonymously or for recognition," commented Schlabaugh said. "There will be opportunities to donate $50 to $100 with or without recognition."
Some of the levels include:
*$250 to sponsor a light pole and or signage.
*$500 to sponsor a bench.
Individual donations are tax deductible. Checks should me made to City of Kalona, Downtown Revitalization and can be given to Ryan Schlabaugh at City Hall or Lori Mostek at Kalona Furniture.
The part that is exciting many supporters of this project is the opportunity to sponsor one of the 38 "quilt blocks" to be located in the sidewalks throughout the Downtown Revitalization District (5th Street from A Place to C Avenue and B Avenue from 4th Street to 6th Street).
Businesses and individuals will be able to sponsor the quilt blocks ranging from $l,500 for a block to be selected by the committee and the committee deciding the location or $2,000 which allows you to pick the block and location, Schlabaugh pointed out.
A Downtown Revitalization Fund Drive pamphlet features 50 quilt block patterns from which you can select your favorite pattern. The center of the brochure locates where the 38 blocks will be placed in sidewalks downtown.
If you are interested in sponsoring a quilt block you must contact either Schlabaugh at City Hall 656-2310 or Lori Mostek at Kalona Furniture 656-2700.
The quilt block designs were selected by a committee of experts on quilts: Brenda Herington of Kalona Antique and co-sponsor of the annual Kalona Quilt Show; Katie Karnes of Woodin Wheel Quilts & Antiques and co-chair of the Kalona Quilt Show; quilt supply retailers Grace Schumann of Stitch 'N Sew and Juanita Troyer of Willow Creek Quilting and Gifts; and Marilyn Woodin, quilt historian and curator of the Kalona Historical Society Quilt Museums. Herington is also a partner in Woodin Wheel, which is a retailer of new quilts.
"The quilt blocks selected were chosen for their historical significations," Herington said. "The are patterns brought to this area by settlers between the 1860's and early l900's."
Schlabaugh said the city is negotiating with a couple of firms, which would make the colored cement blocks using a variety of design methods. The company selected wi11 provide mockups of the 6 ft. x 6 ft. blocks that will be available at City Hall for viewing.
The Downtown Revitalization was originally driven by the necessity of improving the infrastructure, streets and sidewalks. While the streets were torn up the committee wanted to include a streetscape project that would be uniquely Kalona and something different than other communities, which have done streetscapes.
Mostek suggested the quilt blocks in the sidewalks. She noted the quilt blocks will be historical, provide education on the quilts and prove an exercise as people tour the downtown to view the quilts and visit the various stores.
Mostek and Schlabaugh said a brochure will be designed to give a map of the quilt blocks and provide a history on the blocks. It is expected the quilt blocks in the sidewalks will help enhance tourism in the community.
"This should be a real drawing card for Kalona," Mostek said.
"The quilt blocks will magnify everything we have to offer here to tourists and enhance the historical quilts that are on display that the quilt museums in the Kalona Historical Village," she added.
"Interest in the project is at the highest level," Schlabaugh said. Already five quilt blocks have been spoken for plus the city will place the first quilt block in the city center parking lot where buses unload. The city has chosen the Old School House pattern (as the City Hall and Rec Center are located in the old Kalona High School).
Herington said she gets more excited about the project as she talks to people outside the community about Kalona's quilt block project. "I get more excited from their excitement and desire to travel here to view the quilt blocks," said Herington who is both a collector and expert on antique quilts. She also volunteers at the Kalona Historical Village quilt museums.
Maxcast will cast special medallions and nameplates to honor donors who wish recognition.
Plans call for a large 8-star quilt block (like the one on the water tower) to be placed in the middle of the intersection of 5th Street and B Avenue. "It will be made of muted colors so it won't bother the Amish horses," Schlabaugh said.
Mostek said she is also excited that the downtown project will reduce the amount "standing water" in the streets after a rain. "All the pretty stuff is going to be really great, but getting rid of the standing water will be huge," she said.
Schlabaugh added that donations just for the project in general are also welcome as are anonymous gifts. He stressed this is a general Downtown Revitalization Fund Drive with a goal of helping to leverage grant funds from Washington Riverboat Foundation and Vision Iowa.
Both Schlabaugh and Mostek said they hope the project will also help to stimulate businesses to enhance their buildings.
For additional information, Contract Ryan Schlabaugh at 646-23100 or email him at citkal2@kctc.net or Lori Mostek at 646-2700 or email her at woodstuf@kctc.net.
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