June 10-12: Interviews, Workshop & Team Work Sessions

Once the evaluation of the building and site has been completed and reviewed, the entire reuse team will travel to Kasson to engage members of the community in a very intensive and intentional information-gathering session that takes place over three very busy days. The team will gather information in two ways: by conducting a series of confidential 30-45 minute interviews with individuals or groups representing specific topical areas; and also through a hands-on community workshop during which residents will have an opportunity not only to share their ideas and aspirations for the future of the school site, but also to have their ideas translated into visual form with the help of the team. Although the specific schedule will be developed by the principal investigator in collaboration with the local liaison, the site visit will be arranged something like this:

The team will conduct a series of interviews intended to shed light on area economic conditions, development trends, unmet needs, and regional incentive programs. Interviewees may include: Planning Commission members, Library Board Members, Representatives of non-profit organizations (arts, social service providers, clergy), Community college, alternative or charter school administrators, Neighbors and age group representatives (high school students; seniors)

On the final day of the site visit, Tom Nordyke will join the team to help assess the state of the local economy, the real estate development climate, and the potential for financing a rehabilitation project. Interviewees may include: Real estate sales professionals, Leasing and property management professionals, Representatives of charitable foundations, Bankers, Investors, State legislator, EDA officials from Kasson and surrounding area (incentive programs), Local business people (retail, service, industrial, Chamber of Commerce), Representatives of major area employers (Mayo Clinic, etc.), Regional development authority staff.

During the evening, the team will facilitate a community meeting intended to capture the ideas and imagination of members of the general public. The team will briefly review the purpose of the study, will review the findings of the condition assessment, using display boards prepared after Site Visit 1, will briefly outline issue areas that have been defined during the interview process, and will then guide participants though an interactive exercise that will enable them to share ideas, set priorities, and see the possibilities for reuse/redevelopment of the school and site.

City tour led by city manager, economic development staff, etcBuilding walkthrough led by architectural teamReview events that led to reuse study. Interviewees may include: school district officials, city officials, preservationists