Historical Landmarks Get Old Fashioned Revival

[XLFD]

Great news for those who are long time residents of Mason County, particularly if you live a little ways away from the big lake, happened this summer. 

In June, an Australian named Jon Wilton purchased the old Scottville Senior/Junior High School in Scottville, the oldest building still standing in Scottville, erected late in the 19th century.  Most recall it as a junior high school, but before 1959 it served as the senior circuit for the kids.  The last year it served as a junior high, I was stationed in "portables", mobile buildings just to the west of that building, as a sixth grade student, using the seasoned facility for gym class, assemblies, and several other purposes.  As such I have fond memories of the building, even though I must admit the new middle school created was functionally much better.

Unlike most other purchasers of that building since it became outmoded for many purposes, Mr. Wilton plans on putting in a lot of effort to get it functional again, though that use as of this writing is still a question.  We encourage this Queenslander to restore it into its former glory and improve it within so that it can function as something the citizens of Scottville can be proud of, rather than simply reminesce about.  The Mason County Press has more about it here. 

In nearby Custer, the town's most notable business, Johnny's shut down in July of 2009 indefinitely, and the news had been pretty dismal for it over the last three years of non-use.  Incredibly, Johnny's operated as pretty much the same business since 1948, being a popular place in the generally small market area of Custer. 

But just earlier this month Rick Sherman and Sheralyn Cousineau purchased the building with plans to re-open it once more and offer what Johnny's has traditionally provided:  skating, dancing, a place for gathering, etc. as well as a few of their own ideas for making it economically sustainable.  Many people who have grown up in Mason County have fond memories of Johnny's and will be more than happy to welcome it back I'm sure.  Custer and Johnny's were almost synonymous in their heyday, so the revival of the business will likely be a shot in the arm for the local economy.  More on this story is here.

 

These two stories have more in common than being good news for these two Mason County villages involving the rebirth of two foundational institutions of both towns. 

Scottville has the distinction of being part of the State's Main Street Program, and they have also their downtown development authority.  In 2011, they secured, at a price, the additional services of Heather Venzke-Tykoski, Ludington's Community Development Director, to assist in grant writing.  Yet with all these organizations and grant-pleaders, they have been able to do nothing with the old junior high building. 

Astronomically high tax rates for Scottville citizens and outside investors, coupled with economic development politics have made it more difficult, not easier, to make someone like Mr. Wilton show up and put their own money (not grant money from overburdened taxpayers) into renovating the school house.  Will John Wilton suffer buyer's remorse and say "G'day, mate" when he gets that first tax bill and other documents he needs to fill out from the local bureaucrats?  Time will tell.

And Custer, with not a hint of the Main Street or DDA programs, and no foreign Community Development Director, has also attracted an investor in their community.  How is this all possible?  How are we attracting investors into our community without using our vaunted economic development tools, without our Community Growth Alliance?  Without the bubbly personalities of our business facilitators being paid the big bucks to put in unnecessary rental rehabilitation units in the top of our businesses, when we have plenty of affordable housing throughout the county cheaper and better situated? 

 

Maybe, just maybe, we need to invest in smaller government, ergo smaller tax rates and less bureaucratic nightmares, ergo more private investment.  And maybe, just maybe, more real growth leading to more money available to the local governments will happen?  Will this common sense ever fly with the current crew in our public sector? 

[AQUAMAN]

In the old days, Lakeview Elementary had a 3'-4' round steel/aluminum tunnel slide on the third floor used as our fire escape. Each Friday afternoon or so, the entire school would get a fire practice run sliding down this 150' long or so dark tunnel, to the ground level. The idea was we could escape a fire if it got out of control via the slide safely to the ground if fire fighters couldn't control it. Fun, and practical. Didn't see one in the Scottville building, did anyone else have this at their school?

[CLFD]

I commend Mr. Jon Wilton for purchasing the Old School House building in Scottville and having the desire to restore its usefullness. His eyes and his heart may very well be in the right place but I think it is doubtful that the building will ever be restored.  It is way cost prohibitive. Probably a million dollars at least to restore the entire building. Maybe more.

 

Are there 1 million people in the United States who would all be willing to donate $1 each to the building fund? I think there probably are but who would know how to go about publicizing such an undertaking to reach so many potential contributors, and who would have the time to organize and manage it?.

[XLFD]

The damage looked pretty extensive due to the roof failures and years of neglect, but John's 'will' will be sorely tested, and I think your assessment would be appropo for the vast majority of folks working on what most would call a fool's errand. 

BTW, Mr. Wilton who is from Queensland Australia may have some motivation to improve Scottville, as there is a small town called  Scottville in Queensland.  As of 2011, it only had a population of 344.

[CLFD]

The re-opening of the old Johnny's business will be a much easier endeavor because it has been idle for only 3 years and has not suffered decades of total neglect like the Old School House has, and will take much less financial assets up front to get it open and running. I will definitely try them out soon after they announce their grand opening. Whether I return will depend upon the usual standards that every business experiences. A fair product at a fair price. 

[XLFD]

Fair enough!

[Jane]

Andy Quillan(a teacher at Scottville i think, or as a sub anyway) has been running the skate center now for two or three winters i believe, and did some remodeling(my  kid wanted to go up out there with some friends last year and it is freshened inside) it recently opened again for the winter. I wonder if his lease/use is going to continue or the new buyer will take it over? Andy seems like a decent guy and keeps things clean for the kids.