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Curb Appeal; First home selected for new city, chamber program
A recently-transformed house located at 1023 S. National Ave. is the first property to be recognized in a new program initiated by the city and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Previously owned by the late Robert Adams, a Fort Scott native, the home is the first recipient of the Curb Appeal Home of the Month Award. The program is a cooperative effort between the city and chamber to promote civic pride through the recognition of citizens who have made significant improvements to their properties.
Much-needed improvements to the house include a new paint job, landscaping and gutters, a new two-car garage, concrete walkway and driveway, lighting, an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, all-new energy efficient appliances, a half-bath, new doors and numerous other updates.
The water, sewer and electrical systems were also updated.
Jim Pitts, chairman of the Chamber Curb Appeal Committee, said the property was chosen for the award for two reasons.
"We chose this one as the initial property for a couple of reasons," he said. "The primary one was high visibility on the corner of National. We were also looking for renovations that were very recently completed. The house had been vacant the last couple of years. It's really spruced up."
Codes Manager Brent Crays, the primary source for identifying award candidates, said there were originally multiple candidates, but the list was narrowed down to five properties that met the requirements.
Adams purchased the house in September 2011 and began restoring it to be used as a rental. Numerous repairs were needed. The home had been empty for a few years. Adams also had the help of his good friends Joey Collins and John Zimmerman of J&J Construction, local residents Marlan and Robin Kirch, and the Roberts family.
The house is currently being rented by Marc and Becky Olkowski, who helped with renovations. Marc's parents and Adams' friends, Stan and Vicky Olkowski, are also two of several people who helped with the remodeling project. Stan's mother, Helen Rimmer, was Adams' longtime companion and his caretaker for the last 10 years before his death.
Robin Kirch, a longtime close friend of Adams, said he planned the improvements prior to his death and was always actively involved in work that needed to be done.
"He would definitely appreciate the way the house is now," she said. "He was out there helping do it. When he does something, he totally goes all out. He was very proud of his accomplishments."
Adams, who had been ill and had heart problems, died March 8, 2012, in Joplin, Mo. He had also previously owned and worked on other properties throughout Fort Scott.
"He was a great man all around," Kirch said. "He always wanted his homes to be good, the best they could be. He was always busy striving at doing that."
Vicky said Adams had his eye on the house at 1023 S. National Ave. for several years. She and her husband did some painting and other remodeling work inside the house.
Adams' father taught him a lot about construction. As a young man, he helped his father construct several homes and city buildings.
Vicky said Adams was proud of improvements to the house on National and his other properties although he didn't get to see all of them completed, nor the reactions from people. He would have loved to see the National house receive the Curb Appeal award.
"He was ecstatic," she said. "He got a card from the chamber telling him they were happy with the way he improved the house. So many people have stopped, telling us it looks great. It made his spirits just rise. He lived here most of his life. The recognition would have made him tickled to death."
Vicky added that Adams was an artistic person and had plans to finish the house and make it look even more inviting.
Adams' son, Lee Adams, is taking over all of his father's properties to ensure his high standards continue to be met. Stan and Vicky will manage these properties for Lee and make sure the work his father had planned is done, Robin Kirch said.
Other projects planned for the house this year include a new full bath, restoration of the yard, a small basement upgrade, new plants and shrubs and completion of the remainder of the painting.
The Curb Appeal Program, approved last month by the Fort Scott City Commission, will feature a monthly recognition of a property owner who has met certain qualifications.
The award includes a month-long display of a recognition sign on the property. The program is geared toward improving blighted, abandoned and dilapidated properties.