Letter to the Editor: Hoosier Desk is an investment in the future of Jasper

I wish I had spoken out Monday night to support the Hoosier Desk location. It’s honestly the most exciting possibility I have seen for our community in 36 years!

The combination of the library and the arts is a unique cultural cooperative effort our community will be so proud to have. Plus, the Hoosier Desk location is the unique match to this effort, not only in location but in preserving our past and presenting our future!

I have been involved in the downtown as a business owner; I have been a past board member of the Jasper Community Arts Commission; and most importantly, a parent to four children I want to see move back to Jasper — one is already here.

I join hundreds of parents in our community who wish the same.

This millennial generation is not about building new, new, new. They have lived and seen the industrial look combined with modern and historic and they want to reuse buildings like they see refurbished in larger cities.

They want a community gathering space convenient to public places so they can socialize.

They recycle. They walk and exercise. They take their children with them where they go.

But most of all, they want unique and unusual thinking that is outside the box.

They are our future, and we should think about what they want so we can attract that generation in the most positive way.

We need to grow our population to support our growing business and industrial community. It’s an economic choice in addition to a lifestyle choice.

So why Hoosier Desk? It is near the Riverwalk that already attracts thousands of walkers and runners. The Riverwalk is a place where weddings and family reunions are held. Visitors are drawn from the Schnitzelbank and Hampton Inn. They go to the nearby Jasper City Mill, Train Depot and Schaeffer Barn. It is near residential neighborhoods and restaurants. Public events like the farmer’s market, summer concerts at the gazebo, and the Strassenfest occur around it.

Imagine the possibilities of visiting the area when you have an extra 30 minutes before an event, or you want to meet someone at the cultural center.

Parking at the site and the train depot are good; this location has the natural flow of people that will increase circulation at the library without even making an effort; people are already there!

The current location does not have that.

So, what is best for the Library?

What is best or our community?

What will attract the younger generation for our economic growth?

I believe the Hoosier Desk building is the best choice by far. I encourage you to talk to the youth to hear their opinion because that is what I am hearing from them and the general public.

The library board is being questioned about the cost. I understand that completely as a business person. It is important to spend the public’s money wisely.

What is hard to judge is the price you would pay for the future and the cultural center is an investment in the future. It is the future drawing card to lay in front of someone who is thinking of moving to Jasper along with our great schools, hospital and churches. It is a very unique attraction that is hard to put a price on.

Would the main street location do the same? I don’t think so since it is further away from public activity. It would not be the best option of the two.

Then what happens to the Hoosier Desk building if you choose the Main Street location? Will it be left unattended and join the Jasper Cabinet building as another eyesore, multiplying the empty space so that we need to raise money to tear them down or try to revitalize like so many other cities have done?

We have worked so hard to make our downtown a place that citizens can be proud to take visiting family and friends. We don’t want to go backward!

It amazes me in large cities and especially in Europe how old buildings are reused and treasured. Those with leaning walls, uneven floors, and cracks in the ceilings are visited by millions of tourists each year, and their building code at the time of construction was not what it is today! Why is that?!

My question is, how can we make the Hoosier Desk location work? If the two boards decide that loft housing is out, then still choose Hoosier Desk and leave it out.

If there are unforeseen costs that arise, start a Friends of the Cultural Center Donation fund or add landscaping later.

Creativity and economy can work together. Innovation is how our community grew.

Let’s show our creativity and innovation with making the Hoosier Desk location the future site of the new cultural center! Jasper will indeed be unique!

Thank you for your hard work to make our community a better place.

Sincerely,
Maureen Braun
Owner Finishing Touches, Downtown Jasper