Beaver Crossing board authorizes $630,000 CDBG application for proposed community center after public hearing

The Beaver Crossing Village Board voted Aug. 13 to authorize Chairman Jerry Zieg to sign an application for $630,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support a proposed new community center. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with Trustees Jere Leif, Ray Foreman and Chairman Zieg voting aye, Kaely Eberspacher voting nay and Trustee Brandon Mares abstaining.

The vote followed a public hearing led by James Owens of the Southeastern Nebraska Development District (SENDD), who read the hearing notice and summarized the grant process and project parameters. Owens told attendees that SENDD mailed roughly 380 surveys to residents in ZIP code 68313 and received about 90 returns. Several residents asked for a copy or fuller release of the survey results during the hearing.

Public commenters were divided. Supporters, including longtime resident Jim O’Hare and several neighbors, said a new facility would host events, benefit local gatherings and remedy accessibility problems in the existing 1916 building. Project proponent Lance Breitkreutz said renovation costs were comparable to new construction and emphasized the need for ADA-compliant restrooms and potential fundraising to cover costs beyond grant awards.

Opponents and cautious residents raised budget and priority concerns. Linda Welch said the village had other infrastructure needs and warned against overspending. Gary Grantski said he worried a new center could become an underused building. Resident David Davis asked about grant restrictions and allowable uses; trustees also mentioned a possible CCCFF state grant but did not provide final details on restrictions or matching/leveraging expectations.

During the hearing, residents asked whether the board had already voted on the project; the minutes record that the board previously approved moving forward with the community center planning. Several attendees asked how the cost estimate was calculated; trustees and advocates said the figure was based on projected square footage and contractor consultations. One resident, Debra Upton, asked whether the village would bond for remaining costs if $600,000 were awarded; the minutes record the question but no detailed fiscal plan was provided in the meeting record.

The board’s authorization allows staff and the chair to submit the CDBG application. The minutes do not record final award, matching requirements, or a binding financing plan should the grant be partially funded. Trustees indicated additional funding avenues and local fundraising may be pursued.

The board closed the public hearing and then scheduled follow-up work through normal channels; the minutes note trustees and staff will continue grant coordination and planning with SENDD and other partners. Next procedural steps recorded in the minutes include finalizing the application signature and pursuing additional grant opportunities; no construction contract or final design was approved at the Aug. 13 meeting.