That’s Vision Mason City’s question to the community in regards to the challenge from Vision Iowa’s 9 million dollar grant.

Representatives of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, Wright on the Park, River City Society for Historic Preservation, Mason City Public Library Foundation, the City of Mason City and the Committee for the Performing Arts Pavilion worked in collaboration to promote the application for the remaining funds in the Vision Iowa Program. After months of communication with the Vision Iowa Board, Mason City was awarded the grant on March 12, 2008.

One stipulation of the 9 million dollar award requires the local community to raise the remaining private funds to complete the necessary funding for all of the projects. A total of 4.3 million would need to be committed within 180 days of the signing of the Vision Iowa contract.

Vision Mason City, again a collaboration of the groups involved, has taken on the challenge of raising the needed money. The organization’s primary focus is raising $2 million locally by June 30, 2008, and the remaining $2.3 million from state, national and international sources. As of May 21, 2008, $ 1,233,322 has been donated or pledged to the Vision Mason City projects.

While the specifics of the contract with Vision Iowa are still being negotiated, Vision Mason City continues its effort to achieve the desired goal of raising the necessary money.

The Wright on the Park Board of Directors believes our goal to complete the hotel for the 100th anniversary in September 2010 is still within our grasp, and we are working many hours to realize that dream. Very special thanks to all who have supported Wright on the Park in the past, and those who continue to do so. All of us working together can make the Park Inn Hotel a reality.

“The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.”
Frank Lloyd Wright

Wright on the Park has had two important construction projects going this winter in the hotel portion of the building that have made a major impact, even though they have not been visible from the outside. The first is the stabilization of the exterior walls of the basement and the second is the installation of the structure for the mezzanine over the lobby. The projects were completed under separate grants.

While there was no imminent danger of structural failure, the structural work done in the basement was important to the future life of the building. The basement stabilization included the removal of the original kitchen floor, which yielded a surprise: there was a four inch layer of concrete with wood planking above and below. The removal of this material considerably lightened the load on the building’s structure. Several rotting beams were replaced, and additional framing was added to carry structural loads. The work allowed the removal of several “temporary” columns that had been installed over the years in the basement to support the floors above. Steel columns were also embedded into the basement floor all along the south and west perimeter walls. These will ensure the basement walls remain stable.

The installation of the mezzanine structure over the lobby space has made a dramatic change and reintroduces an important feature back to the building. Though there is not information to tell us when the mezzanine was removed, original beam pockets were found in the columns on either side of the lobby several years ago, and provided a guideline for the project. Modern structural members were used to frame the mezzanine, providing strength that was probably lacking in the original. Steel beams were installed running east/west, and laminated wood beams were installed running north/south.

The mezzanine changes the lobby from one large open space to a series of spaces that change height as a person moves through them. This compression and release is a feature found in many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, providing drama to the person experiencing the spaces.

Only two projects remain to complete the restoration of the hotel exterior. The restoration of the original double hung windows will be completed as part of a future larger construction project. The restoration of the stone on the north balcony will be completed this spring.

The balcony originally had heavy stone bands both above and below. Most of the top band was removed and replaced with stone of a different color and size. The bottom band was removed and replaced with metal flashing. New stone matching the original will be installed on both the top and bottom edges of the balcony in a project to be completed once the weather is warm enough. Martha Huntington

President Jean Marinos facilitated the meeting. Jean opened the meeting by reviewing a few of the highlights that have transpired during this past year.

Peggy Bang presented the Education Committee report. The committee had developed information about WOTP for cable channel 4 in Mason City and had worked with 9th graders from Mason City High School on history projects concerning Frank Lloyd Wright and the Park Inn Hotel. The Education Committee is also planning a docent training program.

Roger Peterson presented a report on the formation of a finance committee, whose members include Bob Klocke of First Citizen’s National Bank, Ann Flynn of Community National Bank, and WOTP board members Roger Peterson and Jean Marinos, as well as Executive Director Ann MacGregor.

Bob McCoy presented a report from the Preservation Committee, including a slide show highlighting the progress of the restoration work on the Park Inn Hotel.

Three board members were up for reelection, including Martha Huntington, Gary Schmit, and Pat Schultz. It was moved, seconded and pass unanimously to extend their service on the board for an additional three years.

Roger Peterson was appointed to the Board of Directors and to the position as Treasurer of the board.

Roger is a native of Franklin County and returned to the area to become a Cost Accountant with Curries. Roger has a BS in accounting from Minnesota State University-Mankato and an MBA from the School of Business, University of Iowa.

Roger brings a broad financial background coupled with extensive systems implementation.