Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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NOTICE OF SECOND PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 22-PP-003 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Dec. 9, 2024, at 7 p.m., at the fire hall meeting room, the Village of Clearwater, Nebraska, will hold a public hearing concerning the activities of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant and to give citizens the opportunity to be heard regarding the planning grant, 22-PP-003. The Village of Clearwater was awarded CDBG Planning funds of $53,000 for conducting and adopting a Downtown...
One of my favorite play scripts is “First Night” by Jack Neary. In it, Danny Fleming, a video store clerk, sees his eighth-grade crush, Meredith O’Connor (who is now a nun), enter the store. What ensues is a roller coaster of emotions from puppy love to midlife angst. The play answers questions: Does he still love her? Is she in love with him? After 20 years, will she leave the convent to build a life with the man of her dreams? The best line first comes from Danny, talking about Mered...
Rural communities across Nebraska have struggled with population loss for decades. The last census indicated that of the state’s 93 counties, 69 had lost population between 2010 and 2020. A University of Nebraska at Omaha study in 2015 made a sobering projection that only 12 counties in the state would have more residents in 2050 than in 1990. That continues a slide in rural areas that’s been occurring since the settlement days. Near a family farm we have in northeast Nebraska, you can scan the...
The message from Clearwater residents is overwhelmingly clear: fix the streets. "We've been researching different options and trying to figure out a way to start improving the streets. When we went through the surveys done for the Downtown Revitalization project, and the housing grant two years ago, streets were the No. 1 concern of citizens of the community," said Clearwater Economic Development Director Lauren Sheridan. Navigating Clearwater's business corridor may get a whole lot smoother if...
Clearwater residents are asked to complete a study about the village's Downtown Revitalization Program. "We would like community opinions," officials said. The survey will be available online at https://www.surkeymonkey.com/r/ClearwaterDTR or the QR code, pictured above, may be used. Paper copies are available at the village office and Clearwater Public Library. "We want to hear your ideas on the best ways to make Clearwater beautiful and inviting," officials said....
Clearwater trustees vice chair, Cody Kester, said, during the board's Feb. 12 meeting, that village officials have been approached about possible sites to build housing. "We've discussed maybe getting rid of the little ball field since it's in shambles right now. It's a good time to bring it back up," Kester said. The small ball field, located at the south edge of the park, has not been used for games since summer 2022.King asked if the land would need surveyed and if it would extend south towar...
Ed. note: This is the second in a series about Clearwater's downtown revitalization efforts. When Clearwater village officials receive the Downtown Revitalization Capital Improvement Plan, it will include proposed improvements at focus areas, which were unveiled Nov. 8, during an open house at the American Legion. Additionally, it will outline what types of infrastructure and streetscape improvements may best fit the village, based on feedback from visitors during the open house. Bobbi Pettit,...
Clearwater residents received a sneak peak of what the village's business district could look like, Nov. 8, during an open house at the American Legion. Bobbi Pettit, owner of Five Rule Rural Planning, along with other members of the planning team, shared concepts designed by architect Patrick Moore, an architect with Good Life Architecture, in Kearney; landscape architect Austin Arens, with RDG Planning & Design in Omaha; and John Zwingman, civil engineer with Advanced Consulting Engineering...
Clearwater residents will get a sneak peek of what the village’s business district could resemble during a Nov. 8 open house, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Clearwater American Legion. Five Rule Rural Planning founder Bobbi Pettit, planner Lowell Schroeder and members of its design team will unveil concepts for buildings and infrascture along the village’s Main Street. Pettit compared Wednesday’s meeting to a home remodeling project. “If you want to remodel your kitchen, you hire an interior design te...
Village of Clearwater officials spent part of the Oct. 9 meeting discussing the state of River Road and Nebraska Street. Kelly Kerkman gave an update from discussion about the two stretches of road with Antelope County Commissioners, including a clerical error on annexation of the Nebraska Street. “When they tore it up, it was still theirs,” Kerkman said. “I know both roads need to be done and we’ve got streets that need to be done, so I don’t know how to approach it.” Trustee Cody Kester said c...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Oct. 9, 2023 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in “Summerland Advocate-Messenger,” was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Mar...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES August 14, 2023 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8:05 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 10, 2023 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Apr. 10, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in “Summerland Advocate-Messenger,” posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Ker...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dec. 12, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7:56 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Hankla, Kelly Kerkman, Jeff Schlecht, Cody Kester. Others present: Troy Behnke,...
Orchard residents are urged to complete a survey, offering ideas and opinions for the future of the village. Orchard Village Board of Trustees, along with Five Rule Rural Planning, of Kearney, have partnered to complete planning documents for community improvement projects. The process will include a housing study, comprehensive development plan and downtown revitalization plan. Paper copies of the survey are available at the village office Dusty's and Old School Thrift Store. The survey may...
The Village of Clearwater received good news Thursday. Nebraska Department of Economic Development notified village officials it will be the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant to spearhead downtown revitalization planning. Up to $53,000 will be awarded, with a $5,000 commitment coming from village funds. Five Rule Rural Planning, of Kearney, will work with community members and village officials to complete the plan. Phase one of the project is expected to take place this month...
The Village of Clearwater received good news Thursday. Nebraska Department of Economic Development notified officials it will be the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant to spearhead downtown revitalization planning. Up to $53,000 will be awarded, with a $5,000 commitment from the village. Five Rule Rural Planning, of Kearney, will work with community members and village officials to complete the plan. Phase one of the project is expected to take place this month during an...
The Village of Ewing will receive $431,640 from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, for construction of a two-unit duplex. The award was announced Wednesday by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. A total of 40 projects will receive funding statewide. In April, the Ewing village trustees reviewed guidelines with Judy Petersen, executive director of the Central Nebraska Economic Development District. At that time, Petersen said the village will provide a $100,000 match. The...
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PLANNING GRANT VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER The Village of Clearwater is applying for planning funds through the Community Development Block Grant Program from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and is seeking request for proposals from experienced and well-qualified planning firms to provide professional services for an evaluation of the village. A qualified professional planning firm shall be a professional firm that has experience in projects of similar scope and size as described in the scope of services...
Following a public hearing held prior to Monday's board of trustees meeting, Clearwater village officials voted, during regular session, to approve a minimum of $5,000, to apply toward a downtown revitalization planning grant. Riah Deane, a community planner with the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, outlined steps the process will follow. A DTR planning grant will define a business district within the village, receive input from residents, include a historic building analysis...
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES June 13, 2022 A quorum of the board of trustees of the Village of Clearwater attended a public hearing regarding applying for a Downtown Revitalization planning grant Monday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Hearing opened at 7:30 p.m. Notice of public hearing was posted in three places around town and notice was given to board members prior to hearing. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Hankla, Kelly...
The Village of Clearwater will hold a public hearing prior to Monday’s board meeting to get public input on a proposed downtown revitalization plan. Residents are invited to attend the hearing and share ideas to grow Main Street and downtown district. The hearing begins at 7:30 at the fire hall meeting room. Per the recommendation from Clearwater’s Economic Developoment Board, village officials approved, last month, to pursue a Community Development Block Grant, for planning purposes, for a DTR...
One of my favorite daily reads is from Revitalize, or Die by Jeff Siegler, an economic development specialist who tells it like it is. Siegler writes, “The only way to combat the effects of apathy is in fostering a sense of civic pride. By focusing on identity, aesthetics, sense of community, standards, engagement and action, I assist communities in becoming places residents can be proud to call home.” So much of what Siegler says makes sense: • “Neglect is simply delaying cost and effort...
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER The Village of Clearwater is applying for a Downtown Revitalization grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Proposals will not be considered if the intended services your firm wishes to provide are not clearly expressed. Contingent upon notice of grant award, the selected firm will create a Downtown Revitalization Plan for Clearwater to develop realistic short-term and long-term goals and objectives. The plan will provide Clearwater the guidance to create a revitalized downtown...
Following a public hearing, Monday, on an application for a Community Development Block Grant, Clearwater Village Board of Trustees voted to postpone the application for one year. Village officials were requesting $435,000 of grant funds for paving improvements. A local match of $661,664 would have been required on the project. The village’s portion could be funded via bond or bank note. If the village would have proceeded with the application and received funds, Iowa Street, from Nebraska to Fi...
