HIGHFILL -- The majority of Highfill's council meeting on June 9 was spent hearing thoughts and comments about whether the city's community building should be moved, and the consensus appeared to be to preserve and restore it in its present location.
"I'd rather not see it burned down," said Gary Holland, Jr.; "the town's running out of history."
Holland emphasized that he wanted to see the building preserved and not torn down, since it contains a lot of historical value for town residents because of those, including his grandfather, who went to school in the building when it was the Hoover school house. Holland even offered to contribute toward the building's preservation, if needed, explaining that it was "an awesome building to him" and he would "like to see it be an awesome building for (his) kids."
The Highfill Community Building was originally School No. 71 in Benton County and located west of the Hoover community and southeast of the present-day community of Highfill. The Hoover community was bypassed by the Rogers Southwestern Railroad (Incorporated in 1907 and also known as "The Fruit Belt Line"), causing the town to be transplanted to present-day Highfill, to land then owned by Hezekiah Highfill and adjacent to the new railroad.
Highfill mayor Stacy Digby explained that he was seeking input because the council had been considering moving the building to the city park for some time in order to preserve and restore it because, in its present location, it blocks the view around the corner on Arkansas Highway 264 and there have been numerous accidents there. Digby said the addition to the fire station currently under way would further block the view around the 90-degree turn in the highway because the fire station will extend much closer to the highway.
A recent town-hall meeting included discussion about the building and some had suggested tearing it down or burning it, Digby said.
Estimated costs to move the 40-by-40-foot building and restore it were approximately $150,000, with the actual moving of the building to a new foundation in the park being closer to $30,000. If the building was moved, plumbing would be disconnected until the city extended its sewer lines along Main Street to the park, meaning the building would not be usable for a number of years. The $150,000 included connecting the building to city sewer and restoring the building to the period in which it was built and served as a school house.
Digby said the building is currently sagging on its present foundation and jacking it up and moving it to a new foundation would straighten up the building again.
Julie White, Highfill resident, said she was in favor of saving the building but did not want to see it moved to the park. She said she favored a more modern community building in the city park rather than one which will not be able to be used for a number of years.
Vernon Reams, the city's street supervisor, said a representative from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department did not consider the present building location a traffic hazard since the curve is marked 15 mph and a yield sign is posted letting westbound drivers know they are to yield to eastbound traffic on the curve. Reams said the AHDT planned to post 45 mph speed limit signs for traffic approaching the curve to slow drivers down and could do more if that did not resolve safety issues at the curve.
David Williamson, councilman for Highfill, said he thought the building was a hazard and would be even more of a hazard when the fire station extends out another 100 feet, blocking the view of drivers. "But I don't want to spend $150,000 to move and restore the building," he said.
The suggestion was made to use the building as a museum rather than for community events because of limited parking and concerns for the safety of children and others using the building, which is just off the highway. Sometimes drivers have to back out onto the highway and children playing outside the building might easily enter the roadway, some said.
Concerns were also expressed by residents living near the park about moving it to the southwest corner of the park because of parking and traffic issues it might create there.
Digby said he thought that grant money received could be used for restoration even if the building is not moved but said that would need to be verified. He suggested restoring siding, windows and the roof to its original condition and moving the building at a later date if that becomes necessary. He also suggested removing suspended ceilings and moving the water heater off the stage and to a closet.
Some expressed concerns that moving the building after restoration work is done would damage the restoration work, especially since the building sags on one side because of foundation failure.
The city received a $13,500 Arkansas Rural Community Grant last month and had already budgeted $20,000 in the current budget toward moving and restoring the building.
"I'd like to see it moved," said councilwoman Michelle Rieff, adding that there are a lot of talented people in the town who could help to restore it. Rieff cited safety concerns for traffic and users of the building as her reason to want to move it.
Council members Paula Pautsky, Ryan Evans and Roger Hill favored leaving it at its present location and restoring it. Councilman Toby Lester was absent.
As the discussion ended, Digby said he would leave the building where it sets and see about using grant money to begin work on restoring the building.
In other business, Jessica Carter was appointed to fill Position 1 on the Highfill Parks Commission and James "Butch" Wiand was appointed to serve as a director on the Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority Board, with Mayor Digby as an alternate.
Chief Blake Webb and officer Logan Roddy introduced the city's new service dog, Kit, to the council. Kit, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, is being trained and certified in narcotics detection and tracking. Since the dog is not bite trained, it could safely be used to track lost children and adults, as well, Webb said.
General News on 06/17/2015