City looks at lease agreement on Memorial Hall

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo Cameron Cowell, center, and Skip James representing Last Farmhouse Film, Inc., speak to Fort Scott City Commissioners Tuesday about a proposal for a lease agreement for Memorial Hall. City commissioners approved pursuing a lease agreement with the company for an annual film festival and other events at the local venue.

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved moving forward with the first step in a process to bring future events to Memorial Hall.

During the commission's regular meeting, Director of Economic Development Heather Smith introduced Cameron Cowell and Skip James representing Last Farmhouse Film, Inc., based in the Kansas City area. Cowell provided some history on himself and the company and said the company is interested in pursuing a possible lease agreement for Memorial Hall.

"It's in the discussion stages," Cowell said. "We've visited Fort Scott and had discussions to consider a lease agreement."

Tammy Helm/Tribune photo A World War I soldier looks out above the entrance to Memorial Hall at 3rd Street and National Avenue. The plaque beneath states the building was constructed and dedicated in 1925 to "Those men and women who gave their lives serving our country in World War I." In 2001, the building was rededicated to "All of the men and women who have served, are now serving and will serve in the Armed Forces of the United State of American."

Cowell said the first step is to determine costs for renovating the building to meet the company's sound and stage needs and if feasible, the goal is to bring in an annual one-week film festival and other events at the venue.

"We need to first look at costs to renovate Memorial Hall and see what those costs might be," Cowell said. "It needs some work. And we don't want to change anything. We just want to make it more modern.

"Then we would move forward with a possible film festival, and possibly some live music."

Cowell and James said they "love" the community and the downtown area. James said he thinks the company's idea would be a "great fit for downtown Fort Scott."

The duo also visited the Gordon Parks Museum and Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Cowell said the facility named after the late Fort Scott native and famed photographer, author, filmmaker and musician is "pretty cool."

"We visited several communities with these ideas in mind," James said. "I think it would be an awesome fit."

City Manager Dave Martin said the company would raise the needed funds to renovate Memorial Hall, as well as schedule events, and the city will not have any funds in this project. Cowell said the company did not intend to ask the city for money, but is looking for "ideas on how to raise funds."

The company also plans to look for local contractors to perform renovations on the old building.

Martin said the idea fits well with the city's recent goal of promoting the arts locally and making Fort Scott an arts destination.

"We're working toward promoting the arts downtown," he said.

Nichols motioned to approve moving forward with pursuing a lease agreement with the company, with Mayor Cindy Bartelsmeyer seconding and all commissioners voting in favor.

Other business

* Bartelsmeyer read a proclamation declaring April 19 as National Park Service Day in Fort Scott and urged all citizens to visit national parks across the country, including the Fort Scott National Historic Site.