Monett's Freedom Silo restoration sees new approach

The Monett City Council has changed direction and embraced a plan to save the city’s Freedom Silo by aiding renovation efforts. 
 
The issue came up for a vote at the Feb. 12 city council meeting following an appeal for help from Monett Main Street. 
 
The Freedom Silo, now a Monett landmark since the addition of Rayne Clotfelter’s eagle and flag mural, stands approximately 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. It is believed to date back to 1906 and is believed to have stored grain for shipment to Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis. Divided into four wood sections inside a metal sheath, the silo has wood structure sitting atop it that is unprotected and deteriorating. That structure has been the focus of restoration efforts since Gerald Doennig, owner of the former Ag Service Center, gave the silo to the city in 2020. 
 
Bob Berger, representing Monett Main Street, spoke to the Monett City Council on Jan. 22, explaining the dilemma. Originally Main Street hoped to handle the entire restoration and received donations from five individuals that boosted available fund for the project to $35,000. Main Street asked Steel Tech to design a solution. After five years, treating the project as a low priority, Steel Tech fabricated a steel copula to place on the roof, valued at $37,000 that was going to be a donation to Monett Main Street. 
 
“Main Street is coming to the City Council with our tail between our legs,” Berger said. “We’re out of money to repair the silo roof.” 
 
The cost of the project has been compounded by the unforeseen expense of raising the cupola plus doing elevated welding to put the pieces together. Needing a crane capable of lifting pieces 80 feet in the air for six days of work was estimated to cost $16,423, with only one vendor available to do such work. Welding was bid to cost $58,690. That put the overall project around $75,000. 
 
Berger said Main Street has found no available grants to help. He asked the city to take over the project. 
 
That proposal ran into trouble when Skip Schaller, Monett’s utilities superintendent, pointed out that work done by the city, by state law, would be subject to paying prevailing wage. That would significantly raise the cost. If the project remained in Main Street’s hands, the bids could stand. 
 
The project included several additional expenses. The Monett Fire Department would be needed to standby, soaking the silo with water during welding to prevent a fire. Commissioner Ken Gaspar pointed out the silo needs a 5,000 square foot gravel base and a slab on the grade, likely requiring an inspection, plus portable toilets for workers on scene. 
 
Monett Main Street had a couple financial agreements with the city. Berger suggested a second $25,000 donation to Main Street to help secure grants, a deal with a six-month timeline on it, had expired, but could be reallocated to the roof project. As for a third $25,000 donation, City Administrator Mickey Ary expressed concerns that a cost overrun would be the expense on the backs of taxpayers. 
 
Commissioner Darren Indovina suggested the city should seek additional bids and possibly a different solution that Steel Tech’s. Berger made it clear options were limited. Steel Tech had held to its commitment over the years. Berger also recalled Main Street had leased the silo from the city during Clotfelter’s mural work, but Main Street could not find a copy of the lease. 
 
“It looks like we’ve had a lot of handshakes along the way,” commented Mayor Randy Burke. “Most of the people [who were involved in previous arrangements] are gone. We want to look at safety and cost.”
 
“We want to help in any capacity we can,” Berger said. “We will continue to seek donations.” 
 
A social media post on Feb. 4 renewed Main Street’s appeal for the project. Potential donors were asked to contact Main Street at director@monettmainstreet.org. 
 
An ordinance establishing a public service agreement came before the city council for both first and second readings on Feb. 12. The proposal called for “a collaborative arrangement between the City of Monett and Monett Main Street,” calling for “a cost share between the two parties.”
 
This approach, suggested by Commissioner Ken Gaspar, resolved the issue of turning the entire project over to the city and incurring prevailing wage costs.
 
Ary explained the specialized nature of the welder’s work, also offered in part as a donation, was a unique service, not easily resolved by seeking additional bidders. Fixing the issues with the roof would be less expensive than demolishing the structure if allowed to deteriorate. Moreover, Ary stressed that with 1 million visitors visiting Roaring River State Park annually, attracting some of them to town represented a real opportunity to raise more sales tax to cover costs. 
 
As for concerns about the original design of the fix, Ary said the plan now included a cupola to replace what was called the “doghouse” that fit the curvature of the roof. 
 
Commissioner Ken Gaspar renewed his criticism of the plan over potential cost overruns. In that case, Ary said it would be prudent to stop the project and reassess the situation. 
 
Gaspar further criticized what he characterized as Main Street’s “failure” to raise sufficient funds to complete the project on its own, thus pushing the undertaking back on the city.
 
Mike Gervais, identifying himself as a board member of Monett Main Street, responded that the city, in acquiring the silo, mandated that it be sealed. Under these directions, given by the previous city council, Main Street proceeded to develop the steel covering. Moreover, Gervais observed that Main Street succeeded in raising $40,000 for the project, an achievement that he would not call “a failure.”
 
With that, council members voted unanimously to form the partnership and finish the project.