[ back ]
Old log cabin on Chardon Square to come down
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - November 19, 2008)
Old log cabin on Chardon Square to come down
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon City Council agreed unanimously last week to move forward with plans to replace the old log cabin on Chardon Square.
Council authorized the heritage house committee to begin a fund-raising effort for a new building to replace the 40-year-old log cabin on the east side of the square. The new building is estimated to cost $400,000.
Council agreed to the action after listening to committee chairman John Eltzroth present the results of surveys of citizens on the issue.
Council's approval included a caveat that design changes would continue to be made as the fund-raising proceeds.
Mr. Eltzroth said that, of 238 people who responded to calls for comments on the proposed timber-frame building, 63 percent expressed support for it as proposed.
He said residents also were given the opportunity to state what areas should be reduced in size, if necessary. He said the No. 1 answer was the concession area, while the proposed evaporator for maple-syrup production was the second-most area cited for reduction.
In addition to gauging residents at Chardon Public Library, a coffeehouse on Chardon Square and a Web site specifically set up for the project, Mr. Eltzroth said, the committee sent three e-mails in an attempt to reach the public. He said the project also has been publicized regularly in newspapers.
In addition to support from residents, Mr. Eltzroth said, the project has received the support of the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chardon Kiwanis and the Geauga County Maple Festival board. Chardon schools, the Geauga Theater Lyric Guild, Geauga County Job and Family Services, Geauga County Commissioners, the county library and Chardon United Methodist Church have all said the new building would be a benefit, he said.
In addition to its vocal support, Mr. Eltzroth said, the maple festival board has pledged $100,000 to the project. Another $2,000 has been pledged by the chamber of commerce, he said. The only opposition came from the Chardon Square Association, he said.
He said he believes sufficient effort had been made to survey residents and organizations on the idea of a new gathering place on the square. "So I think those who have indicated this as a priority to them have spoken, and the majority of them are in favor of it," Mr. Eltzroth said.
He said the fund-raising effort that should begin now will answer any doubts about the support for the project.
Council President Karen Simpson said some of the comments opposing the project seemed to indicate a lack of understanding about what it actually entails.
She said she believes the project will bring a focus to the square, emphasizing its heritage and history.
Mr. Eltzroth said he also interpreted some of the negative comments to as not fully understanding what is to be built. He said some residents thought the model for the project, which was done all in white, meant that the building would be white.
Others said they did not want the log cabin changed, but he questioned whether they had ever been inside. While the building may hold some fond memories for people, it is inadequate in serving the community's needs, and the new structure will rectify that, Mr. Eltzroth said.
He said some wanted the architecture to reflect a Western-Reserve style, and others said they wanted it to match architecture on the west side of the square. He said the architecture on the west side of the square is composed of various styles, such as Greek revival and Victorian. He questioned whether anyone would like a tall building in Greek revival style sitting on the square. He said there is no such thing as Western Reserve style. Instead, he said, the committee chose a style reflective of the area's heritage with the timber frame.
Marianne Goodwin, speaking on behalf of the Chardon Square Association, said its biggest concern is the size of the building and how its architecture fits with the rest of the square.
Mr. Eltzroth said the design of the building could still be modified as the committee moves forward with the fund-raising.
Councilman Robert Cromwell said he remains concerned that not all residents have been heard from on the issue. He said the survey at the two locations and on a Web site represented "fairly small slices" of the population, and "there's 5,000 people out there that we haven't heard from."
But Councilwoman Deborah Reiter said the time for hearing from residents is at an end. She said the committee has been working for two years on the project, and the majority has determined which course it should take. While she personally does not favor the design, the issue was decided in a democratic process and should move on, she said. Those who wanted to comment had ample opportunity to do so, she said.
"I think we have to either move forward or forget it," Mrs. Reiter said.
[ back ]
