Welton council hears school options

By Janet Huffman
Herald Correspondent

October 24, 2005 11:50 am

— WELTON — “It’s not a sure thing,” Scott Galloway of Galloway of Iowa, a developer based in DeWitt, told the Welton City Council at a special meeting Friday.
Galloway said he was still working on the details for development of the old Welton Elementary building, which first housed students in 1921 and was closed by the Central Community School Board last spring. He also is considering possibilities for development in DeWitt.
“It’s a good building,” Galloway said, noting several options for both the building and the 5.13 acres of land on which it sits. Office space could be located on the first level, with a possibility of the U.S. Post Office relocating there, and two-bedroom apartments priced at about $450 per month for starter families were envisioned for the upper levels. An assisted living facility was another option.
The city could would retain use of the gym and playground.
Considerations for the ball diamond included a street down the middle and division into 10 lots for new housing. Because this area is a flood plain the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have to approve use. Other possibilities are green space and purchase by neighboring property owners.
“There’s nothing set in stone,” Galloway said.
Mayor Francis Schmidt noted Welton’s close proximity to the Quad-Cities, about 25 minutes to the south, and the new U.S. 61 as selling points for the project.
“I think the main objective is to do a lot of things here,” to stimulate the growth in Welton, Galloway said, adding that city sewer and the proposed water system were big things for investors to consider.
“We want (to see) what can be done for Welton and to make some money at the same time,” he said. “I want something that’s going to work for everybody.”
A concern of both the city and Galloway was removal of asbestos in the building. A private individual can remove the asbestos, which is primarily concentrated in the boiler room, but the city cannot, Galloway said.
Councilman Glen Boswell questioned the quality of people who would come to Welton, especially since the new sex offender-residency laws have been enacted statewide.
The city is asking to buy the building and land from the school district for $1, a survey of the property at $1,500, filling in the holes where the modular classroom resided at $500, and asbestos removal.
A public hearing to discuss the sale will be at 6 p.m. today at the Central Administration Center. Also on the agenda is a motion to act on disposition of the Welton building.
The board originally offered 60 days as of Oct. 5 to decide the issue. The Welton Council approved asking for an extension of that time if needed. Galloway asserted he could make a decision in two weeks.
“The city cannot assume responsibility (for the building) on a maybe,” Boswell said, adding Welton is a city struggling to stay in the black.