LEFT- In this July 28 photo, Allan Richards (left) directs work on the downtown Toledo Building at 121 West High. The east wall along a north-south alley was under repair. Chronicle/John Speer

Tama attorney Allan Richards is now referring to the building at 221 West High in downtown Toledo as “Pythian Castle.” He reported in a letter to the City of Toledo on Monday, Sept. 12, “preservation actions are being processed for listing as a historical site.”

The title he has given the building in the letter appears to be based upon Richards’ report of the discovery of a Pythian fraternal light fixture in the building. (A full story submitted by Allan Richards about the discovery appeared in the Aug. 24 issue of The Chronicle.)

In Tama County Assessor online records ownership of the building is listed as: Tama County Parcel No. 1415455005.

Toledo City Council members again expressed concerns about the condition of the building and work believed needed to ensure safety during their Sept. 12 meeting. This isn’t the first time the issue has been before them- on Oct. 26, 2015, the council tabled nuisance abatement action and directed City Attorney Mike Marquess to contact the owner.

Earlier, at the July 11 council meeting, Mayor Dave Svoboda told Marquess to make another contact with Richards after it was reported a portion of the east wall had fallen into the alley.

Tama attorney Allan Richards displays Knights of Pythias fraternal lantern he said was found in the rafters of the building at 121 West High in Toledo. He plans to seek historical status for the building he told the Toledo City Council in a letter. -Photo provided

Some visible work has been done on the east side of the building which fronts a north – south alley between High and West Carleton Streets council members said they have observed.

However, they said they believe issues with the building structure need further investigation. City Attorney Marquess said Toledo Mayor Dave Svoboda was legally entitled to gain entry to the building if safety is a concern. Marquess urged the council “to give a little more time” to allow for repairs.

Further action was again tabled Monday this time to Nov. 15. In the interim, Richards was requested to provide reports on repair progress at each of the upcoming council meeting – Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and 24 and Nov. 14.

In the letter, Richards wrote he would keep the council “informed as to projected dates, but early fall is expected for finalization of milestones. Any suggestions in supporting the new venture with former Western College are welcomed.”

In his letter, Richards noted “Welding services have been commissioned for further structural support and material for masonry repair is procurved.”

He also wrote, “A request to vacate and relocate the alley for enhancement of the community is underway. An American Flag is placed on the property on approval granted with your kindness in the conservancy actions.”

Kids Corner Lease

A 20-year lease for Kids Corner Day Care Center is expected to be back before the council for final approval on Sept. 26.

The city has backed a $200,000 loan for operations of the center whose finances are under investigation by the office of State Auditor Mary Moiseman.

It appears payments totaling $935 monthly will be made to the city under the lease agreement. City Attorney Marquess was directed by the council to make the lease term for three years rather than the initial 20-years proposed to allow for review.

Marquess aid the lease will go “hand-in-hand” with the refinancing agreement for the center as part of the bail-out plan.

New Homes On Southwest Side

While final approval of the plat will be back before the city council, it appears Affordable Builders, Cedar Rapids, will be now have the path clear for a housing project on 1st Avenue on the city’s southwest side. Approval of a Planning and Zoning recommendation to rezone the area from Agriculture to Residential R-3 came in September of last year from the council.

Council members approved the final plat for the project showing 11 residential home sites contingent upon approval by Snyder and associates, the city’s engineers and Public Works Director Kendal Jordan.

In August, 2105, the city sold the property to the company headed by Dave Stuzman for $1,000. The property is located west of the Deer Creek Medical Center and northeast of Arrowhead mobile home Park and the Prospect Drive Apartments complex.

On Aug. 24 of this year, Planning and Zoning gave approval to the preliminary plat for the project.

Dave Stuzman, Affordable homes owner, told the council Monday night only three homes may now be built. The homes employ “post-frame” homes which cost less to construct, Stutzman has previously explained.

He claimed all plat work had been submitted to the city engineer previously. Stuzman abruptly left the council meeting during discussion of the project.

Healthy Lifestyles Parking

Lack of adequate parking for differently abled drives and passengers near the Toledo Community Building prompted a request to add spaces from Deb Peska, the Healthy Lifestyles Center director and Service Specialist for Meals on Wheels.

She told city council members Monday of concerns more space will be lost when the adjacent Wieting Theatre adds stage dressing rooms to the back of the theatre building in the Phase III renovation plan.

Currently several spaces directly behind the theatre on the east side are used for handicap parking.

Peska said the parking becomes more of an issue three to four days a month when she has 50 or more seniors attending events at the center.

Areas on South Church in front of the Community Building, at the rear of the community building and along the Toledo Public Library to the east were also considered.

It was decided to designate three spaces in parking on East High on the north side of the theatre for handicap parking as at least a trial measure.

In other business Monday the council:

voted to advertise a 37-acre tract of city-owned farm ground for lease and ot terminate the existing lease.

heard a call from Loren Dostal for the city to continue to mow a strip of ground along B Street from the entrance ot Toledo Heights north. The city had been informed Dostal the city would discontinue mowing it, leaving him responsible. Dostal contended some type of agreement must have existed since at least the 1970s or before under which the city mowed the strip. 2nd Ward toledo City Council member joe boll and City Clerk Kim McAdoo are to review city council minutes back 15 years to see if they can identify any recorded agreement.

approved pay request totaling $80,750 for work on the sludge disposal building at the waste water treatment plant to Weidner Construction nc.

set a Region 6 Housing Rehabilitation Program area to run south of Carleton street to the southern, eastward and westward city limits.

accepted a pair of Christmas decorations form the Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce Home for the Holidays Committee to match two the city had already acquired for display at Broadway and High streets.

voted 5-0 for City Clerk Kim McAdoo and Deputy Clerk Jill Apfel to attend a the fall Iowa Municipal Finance Officers meeting and McAdoo and Apfel’s attendance at a 2016 budget workshop in Ankeny.

set Trick or Treat Night from Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31 from 5 -7 p.m.

approved a $100 funding request for the Tama County Historic Preservation Commission on a 4-0 with member steve Vesely abstaining because his mother serves on the commission.