In case of rain, there's always Plan B for Wall Street Blitz

The only thing that could put a damper on the Wall Street blitz this weekend could be Mother Nature.

Rain has been an issue in the area the last several days and as of Thursday, more of the wet stuff is in the forecast through Saturday. Craig Campbell, volunteer leader for the Good Neighbor Action Team, said work on about 20 projects for a planned property improvement blitz along East Wall Street Saturday and Sunday is still on schedule but weather could cause some changes for volunteers.

Campbell said Thursday that projects on four houses are planned for Saturday and 16 projects are on tap for Sunday.

"Saturday (weather) is iffy," Campbell said. "We've heard rain is out of the forecast Sunday."

Campbell said volunteer groups will try to get as much work done as possible this weekend but if weather becomes an issue, volunteers will work on projects as they can.

"We'll move it to whenever they can do it," he said. "I plan to get with those crews and crew chiefs Saturday. The contingency is groups who have taken on houses will see them through at another time."

Campbell said if weather plays a factor, "we'll probably move it back two weeks realistically." He said the blitz could be moved to the second weekend in June, "but I'll leave it up to them (volunteers)."

The GNAT, formed under the Fort Scott Community Visioning process, planned the blitz to begin addressing blighted or dilapidated properties on Wall Street from the bypass at Wall Street and U.S. Highway 69 east to the Fort Scott city limits. The focus of the blitz is improving curb appeal or the cosmetic look of the properties. Campbell said some improvements to properties along the corridor have already been done.

The projects will be broken up among groups of volunteers that include community members and skilled workers. There are more than 200 volunteers committed to the project to beautify the area.

"I have more than 150 people committed to Sunday," Campbell said. "We're hoping it (rain) holds off and it's looking like it is. Saturday is iffy until about 8 a.m." so projects could begin later Saturday morning.

Projects involve volunteer labor and some fundraising to help fund projects. A group of area churches plans to contribute time and labor to the blitz. The city plans to help with projects by providing labor and some equipment such as dump trucks for trash cleanup. Bourbon County is extending its hours at its landfill Saturday to accommodate the project. The county is also waiving fees for construction and demolition materials generated from the project.

Campbell has said project work will be limited to scraping and painting and some "very minor cosmetic repair." Repairs will include replacing boards on awnings and patching wood siding that has been knocked off due to various hailstorms. Volunteers will also help people dispose of outdoor items such as furniture or appliances, with hauling off brush, vegetation and debris and with trimming of trees.

Campbell said Thursday all of the projects to be completed involve residences on Wall Street. He said there will be some power washing and "defoliating," which means removal of leaves from trees, plants or areas of land.

"We'll be limited to scraping, priming painting and hauling off brush," he said.

The GNAT has been working since early this year to seek help and approval from property owners to identify work to be completed by volunteers during the blitz.

Campbell said earlier this month the GNAT only had to do some minor fundraising for a couple of painting projects and that the biggest need for the blitz was manpower. The GNAT has some funds raised to help property owners who need financial assistance with projects. More fundraising may need to be done once the larger scope of the projects is determined.

"Everything is pretty much on schedule," he said. "The biggest thing is the weather. If nothing gets done on Saturday, we'll get as much done on Sunday as possible. It's possible we can get it all done on Sunday; we've got that much help. I've asked everybody to be patient and adaptable."

The project to help beautify East Wall Street, one of the main entrances into Fort Scott, is a start for the GNAT with properties along other entrances to the city possibly being addressed in the future.

Campbell said if the GNAT draws more volunteers and money, additional projects on East Wall Street and in other areas could be addressed in the future.

Since it was formed in 2009, the GNAT has provided practical service for the community by providing help with manpower, equipment and money in order to help residents make repairs or improvements that improve the curb appeal of properties. The group's revised mission involves improving curb appeal through such projects as painting homes, repairing porches and other minor issues. The city helps the GNAT identify property owners for projects and get those people in contact with the group.