Creston Water backs out from Agnew building

Because of uncertain funding and future to refurbish what is known as the Agnew building in the 100 block of North Maple, Creston Waterworks Tuesday approved to not make water infrastructure improvements to the building.

“The plans have not been provided so this was not in the bid specs,” said General Manager Steve Guthrie. Since late July, Creston Waterworks has been making water main improvements in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of North Maple.

Prior to Creston Waterworks’ project, certain groups and people have been researching and raising funding to restore the Agnew building into a retail operation on the ground level and residential living on the upper floor. Because of the cost to refurbish the building, guaranteeing enough funds for the building has not happened.

“Is the project still moving forward,” Guthrie asked.

Board member Melissa Driskell, who has been involved with the Agnew building, responded.

“As far as I know, there’s going to be a bunch of changes. I’m not sure when or how,” she said. “The mechanical engineer for the building says the building will require a 4-inch line to the building. The reason will be providing a fire system as part of the new construction. That increases the size of the line. We have it in writing, we do not have it engineered.”

The building has a 1-inch water main line.

Driskell said she has been trying for a “long time” to acquire engineered drawings for the water knowing the work on North Maple blocks was already scheduled.

“The Agnew LLC, URGE (Uptown Revitalization Growth for Everyone) board approved us to proceed but we got stalled there. We needed CAD (computer aided design) drawings for the engineer to provide the drawings. Addam Wall who is part of Agnew LLC did not have CAD drawings. That slows down the mechanical engineers. It put a halt on the engineer drawing, it’s not possible to get them to this meeting tonight,” she said.

Driskell suggested to still provide 4-inch service to the building.

“It’s a shame to me we put back a 1-inch line and this project moves forward regardless of who builds it, who owns the building, doesn’t matter to me. If we do a fire sprinkler system it will require a 4-inch line,” she said. “I realize it’s not engineered. The water department will require engineered drawing. I can provide something in writing. I can’t provide the engineered drawings.”

For more than the past year, Agnew LLC, URGE and others have attempted to acquire funds to restore the building. Some of those funds are loans that require matching funds. Those behind the project had asked Creston City Council to contribute proposing the revenue from the restored building will be reinvested in Creston development. Council has showed no interest in contributing, making funds short of the desired amount.

Gabe Carroll, a member of the Uptown Revitalization - Growth for Everyone asked the city at the Aug. 20 meeting for a $350,000 loan to fulfill the requirements made by Pinnacle Bank to receive a $550,000 loan. The overall $900,000 would be accompanied by various other donations and grants.

Because of Driskell’s involvement in the building, she abstained from the vote. She said she is not under any contract related to the building. All water board members were present.

Guthrie said he is in favor of Uptown Creston development, but not having plans and the building’s uncertainty, he does not want to commit funds to the building not knowing there will be a return.

“I would say it’s too much of a risk to put anything in at this point,” he said. Should development of the building happen in the future, he is willing to continue the discussions on what is needed for water service.

Guthrie expects the work on the North Maple Street blocks to be finished in early October.

Driskell said those in support of the building are still meeting and will ask if engineer plans can be produced. Guthrie said expected parts for the water improvements take four to six weeks to obtain.

“I don’t know if it would be possible to fit it in the project. I don’t have enough information to say yeah or nay,” Guthrie said.

Driskell questioned the strategy and policy for Creston Water for vacant buildings, specifically buildings that need refurbished. She said she understands the purpose to remove water main infrastructure for buildings that are demolished.

“But if there is a chance this building or any other building could be revitalized, it seems like a wasted expense to tear out a line just because the building has been vacant. Our board needs to evaluate that,” she said.

Guthrie said removing water lines from vacant buildings prevents water leaks in the property.

“We are not sure where the future is going to lie with it. It does make it trickier to try to decide if we do or don’t put something in,” said board member Mark Eblen.

Driskell said she can’t guarantee if Agnew will go “today, tomorrow or next year,” meaning it will be restored. Driskell said Wall, who was initially behind the project, decided three weeks ago he was no longer involved with the building which has shifted the duties and responsibilities onto others.

“It’s a shame to me that our community does not promote more development and growth. It goes from top to the bottom in this community,” she said. She noted the “fights” with utilities and city officials about projects.

Board member John Tapken made the motion to deny the improvement to Agnew. Eblen made the second.